Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Kirsty Coventry on her election as IOC President, lauding her experience and authority. Russia aims to reinstate its athletes after a ban due to the Ukraine invasion, while figures from both Russia and Ukraine express hopes for Coventry’s leadership to impact international sports positively.
On October 19, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his congratulations to Kirsty Coventry on her election as the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He acknowledged her “unique experience,” expressing confidence that it would facilitate the advancement of the Olympic movement. Putin emphasized that the election result “clearly testifies to your great authority in the sporting world.”
Previously, Putin was the first world leader to reach out to Thomas Bach when he assumed the IOC presidency in 2013. Following Russia’s ban from Olympic participation due to the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there are aspirations within Moscow to have its athletes reinstated for the upcoming Olympic Games. Currently, a limited number of Russian and Belarusian athletes are set to compete as neutrals in the 2024 Paris Games.
Mikhail Degtyarev, the sports minister of Russia, stated Moscow’s intent to advocate for the full reinstatement of its athletes, expressing hope that under Coventry’s leadership, the Olympic movement would grow stronger and more independent. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also voiced hopes that Coventry would foster “mutual understanding between nations” and make sports more accessible.
Conversely, Vadym Guttsait, the head of Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee, expressed his desire for the IOC, under Coventry’s leadership, to persist in promoting peace, equality, and inclusivity in sports, reiterating the importance of maintaining the exclusion of Russian athletes.
In conclusion, Kremlin’s congratulations to Kirsty Coventry underscores significant expectations for her tenure as IOC President. With Russia seeking reinstatement of its athletes, Coventry’s leadership might influence the dynamics of international sports. Meanwhile, the contrasting views from Russian and Ukrainian officials highlight the complexities surrounding Olympic participation in the ongoing geopolitical conflicts.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
