Sustainability neutrality and athletes the IOC key points

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry held a press conference following two intense days of sessions focused on athletes, sustainability, and the future of the Olympic Movement. Coventry highlighted her recent visit to the Olympic Village in Milan with the Athletes' Commission, where she met with the athletes and witnessed their enthusiasm, emphasizing that "this energy reminds us why we are here."

During the sessions, the IOC addressed institutional matters and received reports from the organizing committees. They also recognized the work of Emma Terho as Chair of the Athletes' Commission, highlighting the progress achieved under her leadership. Reports from the "Fit for the Future" working groups were also presented, and the Olympic Movement Sustainability Awards, which recognize community initiatives with a positive environmental and social impact, were held.

One of the central focuses was the internal consultation process, which identified priority areas and points of consensus within five major themes: athletes, the Olympic Movement, the Olympic Games, a better world through sport, and outreach and revenue. Coventry explained that, although there are diverse views on how to move forward, the high level of participation has allowed for a clearer strategic direction and prepared the ground for the work that will continue in the coming months.

During the question and answer session, a Chinese journalist commemorated the fourth anniversary of Beijing 2022 and asked Coventry about her memories of those Games and the role of innovation since then. The president recalled the effort made to ensure competition under exceptional circumstances and noted that many of the technological and design solutions implemented in Beijing, especially in the Olympic Village, continue to evolve and are being used in subsequent editions such as Paris and Milan-Cortina.

Another relevant question came from Australia, where the increased costs and viability of the distributed Games model were questioned, particularly in light of future host cities like Brisbane 2032. Coventry acknowledged that this approach, adopted for sustainability and climate reasons, creates new logistical complexities for national Olympic committees and the media, but stated that the IOC is gathering data to assess the impacts and find a better balance.

Journalists also raised sensitive issues such as the neutrality of sport in a tense geopolitical context and the possibility of hostile reactions at official ceremonies. Coventry insisted that the Games must be a space of respect and coexistence, noting that the Olympic Village reflects how athletes from different backgrounds live together without political, religious, or cultural divisions.

When asked about the growth of the Olympic program and the increasing number of athletes, the president dismissed a “crisis,” although she acknowledged that the IOC is at a crucial juncture in analyzing limits and long-term sustainability. As she explained, these reflections will form part of the strategic decisions that will shape the future of the Olympic movement.

Finally, the president expressed her hope that the ceremonies and the Games will be a space of respect and coexistence. “The Olympic Village is the best reminder of what we can be,” she concluded, emphasizing the spirit of unity that defines the Olympic movement.