The Olympic Movement Reaches a Turning Point in Its History
Author: Naim Asghari, analyst (Germany), exclusively for “Sangar”
Original article: Кирсти Ковентри — новая глава МОК
On June 24, Kirsty Coventry will officially become the head of the IOC—the first woman to hold such a responsible position.
This is not the only change global sports will face in the coming years. The new female president will shoulder a heavy burden: Kirsty Coventry must restore equality, Olympic principles, and common sense to elite sports.
Millions of people around the world expect the new Olympic president to return to traditional values and end discrimination against athletes based on nationality. These hopes are well-founded. In her election campaign, Coventry specifically addressed the issue of protecting women's sports. Cause she —a two-time Olympic champion and three-time Olympic medalist in swimming, understands the threats posed by transgender athletes better than others. As a woman, she knows well that biological males are destroying women's sports, stripping it of fairness and equality.
As head of the IOC Athletes' Commission, Kirsty Coventry has studied the issue of transgender participation in women's competitions and recognizes the urgent need for action. Otherwise, there may be no successor to her legacy—the dominance of transgender athletes could obliterate the global Olympic system, leaving no trace of it behind.
The previous IOC leadership has already severely damaged the reputation of the Olympic movement. The recent Games have left a bitter memory for many renowned athletes.
"I hope that 'athletes' like Hubbard, who failed gender tests, and Lin Yu-ting, who was disqualified for cheating, will never be allowed at the Olympics again. We must protect women in sports and prevent them from competing against biological males in the ring or on the track," said Umar Kremlev, President of the International Boxing Association (IBA).
Another pressing issue is the political segregation of athletes and discrimination based on nationality. This painful problem hinders the development of the Olympic movement. For example, the bans of Russia and Belarus athlets, who have faced relentless pressure from old-guard sports officials for years. With Coventry’s arrival, everyone waits for positive changes.
"Nastya Fesikova once spoke about competing against Coventry at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2009 World Aquatics Championships in Rome. She said Kirsty is a bright, kind person who always stood for Russia and fair play. If that’s true, it’s great. We all hope the Russian hockey team will be allowed at the 2026 Milan Olympics. That would be a truly fair decision," said Roman Rotenberg, head coach of SKA and first vice-president of the Russian Hockey Federation.
Born in Zimbabwe, Coventry—the most decorated African swimmer in history—understands well that the legacy of apartheid is dangerous in any form. Her credo is "Sport beyond politics."
"I believe the IOC must ensure the participation of all athletes. We must find a way for athletes from conflict zones to compete, including conflicts on my continent, not just major wars in Europe or the Middle East. Once, this could have affected me personally due to apartheid policies. The international community could have simply excluded us, and I don’t know where I’d be if I had been barred. We must consider different conditions, as we did in Paris, but the key is ensuring athletes from all over the world—including conflict zones—can participate," Coventry said when asked about the return of athletes from Russia, Belarus, and other countries.
Kirsty Coventry’s views resonate with many and have gained support within the Olympic Committee itself. At least 50% of IOC members voted for her presidency, securing her victory in the first round—a testament to the high level of trust in her leadership.
In turn, Coventry’s election has been endorsed by world leaders, politicians, and sports figures.
"I am confident that your unique experience and commitment to advancing the noble Olympic ideals will contribute to your success in this crucial role," Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the newly elected IOC head.
"Your election marks a pivotal moment in IOC history, and I am sure your vision and experience will lead the organization to new heights," said Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
"We congratulate Kirsty on her election as IOC President and look forward to working with her as she leads the Olympic Movement into the future," the US Olympic Committee said in a statement. "We eagerly anticipate a new decade of Olympic and Paralympic sports in the United States as the Games return in 2028 and 2034. A strong partnership with the IOC will be crucial, and we are confident that under Kirsty’s leadership, the IOC will provide the stability and support needed to achieve our shared goals."
