IOC President Coventry Says "Olympic Events Must Evolve with the Times"

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry has signaled sweeping changes to Olympic events in line with the demands of the times, stating that she will not shy away even from "uncomfortable discussions."

Covenrty said at the 145th IOC Session held in Milan, Italy, on the 3rd (local time), "The world is changing faster than ever before, and the expectations placed on us are also changing." She added, "The IOC must also change to meet the evolving needs of athletes, partners, and fans," stressing, "This is the very core of the 'Fit For The Future' project."

Coventry Curtis, Chair of the International Olympic Committee, is speaking at the 145th International Olympic Committee session held in Milan, Italy on the 3rd (local time). Photo by Reuters Yonhap

Since taking office in June last year, Coventry has been pushing forward projects for the sustainable development of the Olympic spirit. In particular, at this Session, it is known that she is even reviewing bold measures such as including modified versions of Summer Olympic events or indoor events in the Winter Games to boost the popularity and diversity of the Winter Olympics.

Coventry suggested that change must not be rejected, even hinting at the possibility of removing existing events. She said, "It is dangerous to rest on the glories of the past," and added, "We must be honest about what works and what does not."

She argued that, for the Olympics to remain a stage that inspires future generations, they must reflect their values and authenticity. Coventry said, "We must find the right balance between tradition and innovation, between stability and flexibility," and emphasized, "We need to look at sports events and competition formats from a new perspective and develop them in line with the trends of the times." In fact, recent Summer Olympics have introduced events such as skateboarding, 3x3 basketball, and breakdancing to appeal to younger audiences. She added, "We are well aware that these discussions may be uncomfortable for some, but they are an essential process that we must go through for the benefit of the Olympic Movement as a whole."

Coventry also stressed that "politics" should not be involved in sports, calling for a focus on "sport itself."

She said, "We cannot operate in complete isolation from politics, but at the core is sport," and added, "Sport must be a neutral arena where all athletes can compete solely on merit, free from the constraints of governments or political divisions." She went on, "The Olympics are a celebration of the best of humanity and a place where people from different backgrounds respect and come together as human beings," emphasizing, "In a divided world, it is our core mission to ensure that the Olympics continue to deliver hope and inspiration."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.