New IOC President Says Meeting Olympians On Climate ‘A Priority’
Kirsty Coventry has made history as the newly elected president of International Olympic Committee. Her election follows a call from 400 Olympians urging the incoming IOC President to lead on climate action.
The Olympians, who represent 89 countries, 50 sports and hold 245 medals, signed an open letter asked the incoming president to put “the care of our planet” as the one issue above all others. Coventry confirmed that meeting with them would be a “priority.”
New IOC President To Prioritize Climate
“Safeguarding our planet is a responsibility I deeply believe in and since these athletes have requested a meeting with the next IOC President, if I am entrusted with this role, I will make it a priority,” Coventry shared in response to the open letter ahead of the elections.
Elected in a single round of voting, 41-year-old Coventry is the youngest person ever to hold the role of IOC chief, as well as being the first woman, and first person from Africa to do so. A seven-time Olympic medallist from the 2004 and 2008 Games, she understands the power of the athlete voice. “As athletes, we are role models with a unique platform to drive positive change, and this initiative will help amplify the call for climate action,” she said.
Coventry shared that she was “inspired to see so many Olympians coming together to advocate for climate change.” Championing sustainable practices in infrastructure, logistics, and operations at the Olympic Games are areas of focus mentioned in her candidacy document. The adoption of innovations that reduce waste, conserve energy, and minimize carbon footprints are ways she believes sustainable legacies can be created for host cities can create sustainable legacies.
Athlete Signatories Respond to New IOC President
Fellow Olympic swimmer and open letter signatory, Cheyenne Rova, reacted to the election results, saying, “to hear that President-Elect Coventry is open to meeting with athletes early in her presidency is incredibly encouraging. It shows that our voices are not only being heard but are helping to drive change.”
“It’s a powerful and encouraging feeling to know that President-Elect Kirsty Coventry shares our deep concern about the climate crisis and its growing impact on sport.”
Rova is particularly aware of the climate crisis and its impact on sport as a Fijian. The Pacific Islands contribute just 0.02% of global greenhouse gas emissions, but are bearing the brunt of its impacts. Rising sea levels have flooded training grounds, extreme heat has altered competition and training schedules, and cyclones have destroyed sports infrastructure, leaving athletes displaced, and communities without safe spaces to play and train.
“The IOC has done a brilliant job over the last years, and we’re really looking forward to supporting President-Elect Coventry as she takes up her position,” shared the most successful female sailor in Olympic history and open letter signatory, Hannah Mills. Key issues the letter raised were strengthening commitments to carbon reduction, working with host cities and setting a standard regarding sponsors, Mills reiterated. “Our understanding is that LA is yet to release their sustainability goals for the 2028 Games, so we’re hopeful that’s a priority in the opening period of President-Elect Coventry’s term.”
Mills reflected on how “incredible” it was to see hundreds of Olympians come together for the letter, believing it clearly shows that “this is an issue athletes all over the world are concerned by and they’re looking to the new President for leadership.”
Challenges Ahead For New IOC President
It was a different presidency that Coventry was asked about in her first interviews after being elected. “I have been dealing with let’s say difficult men in high positions since I was 20 years old,” Coventry said when asked about managing potential challenges from Donald Trump’s proposed travel ban, which it was posited could impact athletes competing at LA 2028 Olympic Games. “What I have learned is that communication will be key. That is something that will happen early on.”
This diplomacy may need to extend to climate action too, in line with Coventry’s feelings of responsibility towards protecting our planet. Since taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump has been criticized for his “all-out assault” on climate policy.
With global sports facing increasing environmental challenges, the new IOC President’s actions will be closely monitored. Olympians have made it clear that climate leadership is something they wish to be of the highest priority, and Coventry’s presidency presents an opportunity to continue to align the Olympic movement with a sustainable future.
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