Kirsty Coventry’s stance comes as the IOC currently allows only vetted Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has urged governments to preserve sport as a politically neutral space, emphasizing that every eligible athlete must be able to compete without discrimination.
Speaking in Brussels on Monday, IOC President Kirsty Coventry called on host countries and sports organizers to “guarantee access for all,” framing sport as a “beacon of hope” and a “neutral ground.”
Her statement follows the IOC’s recent decision to extend existing sanctions, permitting only vetted Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete individually under a neutral flag in the upcoming Winter Games in Italy. Athletes from the two countries were prohibited from competing in the Games shortly after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022.
“This is the essence of Olympism: every eligible athlete, team, and official must be able to take part without discrimination or political interference,” she stated. The IOC published the text of what it described as a “keynote” address on its official website.
Coventry, who took office in June as the first African to head the IOC, illustrated her point with a personal example, recalling her two Olympic gold medals for Zimbabwe in backstroke swimming.
“If you had decided to sanction me when my country was going through turmoil, I would not have made it to the Olympic Games. I would not have won my Olympic medals. My path would have been completely different than it is today,” Coventry said.
Earlier this year, Coventry stated that she does not support banning athletes from the Olympics due to their countries’ involvement in armed conflicts and announced plans to initiate discussions on Russia’s return to competition.
Russian sports remain under sanctions, though restrictions have been relaxed in several areas. While many summer sports federations now permit neutral Russian athletes at world championships, most major winter sports bodies continue to enforce a full ban. Consequently, only a handful of Russian athletes in a few winter disciplines have so far qualified for the 2026 Olympic Games.
Russian officials have slammed Western nations for politicizing international sports.
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