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≡ COVENTRY NEWS CONFERENCE ≡
Following the close of the 145th Session of the International Olympic Committee in Milan (ITA) earlier in the day, IOC President Kirsty Coventry took questions at the Main Media Centre for the Milan Cortina Winter Games for about 45 minutes, many of which were about what the future of the Olympic Games might look like:
● About moving sports from the Olympic to the Olympic Winter Games: “What I have asked the Olympic Program Commission is to really look at things with a complete, fresh, new piece of paper: if we were setting up this organization, what would it look like today?”
The Commission has received a lot of feedback from the IOC members and other stakeholders and now it has to be sorted out: “We don’t have any fixed, specific idea on sports.”
● On moving up the dates of the Winter Games due to climate issues: Coventry noted this was discussed with the membership today and “nothing has been decided. … This is a recommendation that was given by a member,” notably concerning the Winter Paralympic Games, which follow in March and could be impacted.
● On a possible Winter Games rotation of host sites with dependable winter conditions, Coventry said it was not discussed, but is now ripe for consultations with the International Federations, National Olympic Committees, athletes, broadcasters and others.
● On the size of the Olympic Games: “I do think we’re at a point where we realize we’ve gone from 10,500 athletes to having over 11,500 athletes in L.A. [in 2028]. And I think even the Brisbane team shared with us that would not be a possibility for them in 2032, right.
“So I think we’re at a really good crossroads right now to be able to analyze that, and again, this was a big topic of discussion in the consultations and the workshop today in and around the Olympic program. But also the complexity that that has, because it has ripple effects, right? …
“One thing that is standing out is that as soon as we start adding venues … that’s when you start adding complexities and costs. So, again, how do we look at it collectively, was really the question. … We know that for Brisbane, we’re not going to have 36 sports.”
● On the wide dispersal of venues in the future: “I think we’re really experiencing a little more spread-out Games here, for the first time. And we have put number of things into place in order to capture all the data and I think we’re going to learn a lot.
“We heard today and actually spoke about this exact thing in the member’s workshop this afternoon. That we took the decision to have a more spread-out Games to try and be more sustainable for many different reasons, climate being one of them. And venues, not having new venues, right, but we are seeing that there is a little bit of impact on [National Olympic Committees] because of the spread-ness, right? I guess it’s maybe shifted a little bit different responsibilities to some of the different stakeholders, which has made it a little bit harder for them. …
“So, how now to we weigh this up? What’s the priority? How are we going to find the balance between a spread Games, in order for sustainable reasons, and does that shift complexities to other stakeholders? How can we balance that out?”
● On the status of the Swiss bid for 2028, Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi (SUI) said no one else is being spoken to at present, but if the appropriate plan and guarantees do not come through, bidding will be re-opened. Dubi said there were interested sites in Europe and Asia.
Coventry was also asked about the doping-friendly Enhanced Games, and replied that “I think as the IOC we’ve been pretty clear with our Movement that safeguarding of athletes and athlete’s health and well-being has been a priority and that is the stance that we will continue to take.
“There are many different sports competitions around the world that abide by different rules and regulations and they are free to continue to do that. But for us in the Olympic Movement, we will continue to ensure the safety of our athletes.”
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Although the Winter Games are in Italy – the first curling matches took place on Wednesday – there were lots of questions about the U.S. Asked about Italian protests against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, Coventry said:
“I hope that the opening ceremony is seen by everyone of an opportunity to be respectful towards each other,” and pointed to the experience of the Olympic Village, “the best reminder of how we all should be,” with athletes mixing with each other freely and respectfully.
“For me, I hope that the opening ceremony will do that and be a reminder to everyone of how we could be, and that’s what I think these Games will also bring.”
She was asked about what she hoped to achieve when she meets U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance at the opening on Friday; she didn’t mention the American delegation in her response:
“I hope that the opening ceremony for everyone watching is a really good showcase of possibilities, of inspiration, of a nice reminder of how we could act towards each other and how we can do that respectfully.”
She also spoke about the impact of the Olympic torch relay, now coming into the Milan area, and the pictures and videos of “the faces of the inter-generational fans that are coming out and watching the flame and being excited, and that I think is what the Games represent. And so I hope anyone that’s watching can feel that energy and excitement and that passion and can be invigorated by it.”
One reporter posited “there’s an aura of scandal around the leader” of the LA28 organizing committee, Chair Casey Wasserman and noted that the LA28 organizers did not speak with media in the mixed zone after their Session presentation on Tuesday. Coventry replied:
“Casey has put out his statement; I have nothing further to add on that, and I didn’t know they didn’t come through the mixed zone and speak to you, so when I see them, I’ll tell them to find you guys and have a little chit-chat.”
Asked directly if Wasserman should be removed:
“I think as we said before, Casey has put out his statement; there’s really nothing else for me to add. From the IOC point of view, the [organizing committee] and how they are structured is not something that we are going to get involved into.”
And for people who are still protesting the Games or other issues in Milan:
“The Games are a place where people are reminded of the best of humanity and what that looks like, they can be inspired and so I hope that more and more people can feel that sort of magic, of what I think of as the Olympic Games and what the Games bring. Hopefully everyone starts feeling that as we get closer to the opening ceremony.”
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