Online Reporter
SINGAPORE— International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry has pledged stronger cooperation with Singapore in her first visit to the Republic since she was elected to the top post on March 20.
At a luncheon hosted by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) at Swissotel The Stamford on July 29, she met about 150 Singapore Olympians, youth Olympians and representatives from the national sports associations, partners and sponsors. Her predecessor Thomas Bach was also in attendance. In her speech, she said:
“I know that our partnership will only continue to get stronger. You have a huge supporter in me. My door is always open. As athletes, we strive to inspire the next generation. Thank you for the commitment to ensuring that sport remains an inspiration and a platform for young people to live out their dreams.”
Coventry is in town for the World Aquatics Championships, which end on Aug 3. During her three-day visit, she also called on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and attended the induction of the 2025 honourees to the International Swimming Hall of Fame, which included Singapore’s Olympic champion Joseph Schooling.
She also visited the Botanic Gardens, where a new orchid, Dendrobium Kirsty Coventry, was named in her honour, before she took part in a tree dedication ceremony at Gardens by the Bay. The 41-year-old, a former swimmer who won seven Olympic medals —including two golds —for Zimbabwe, is the first African and woman to lead the IOC. She is also a former sports administrator and politician.
She last visited Singapore in 2013, when she was a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission. Welcoming Coventry back to Singapore, SNOC president Grace Fu, said during the luncheon:“Since then, your leadership and impact on global sport have continued to grow, and your presence here today reaffirms our shared commitment to the Olympic ideals.
“Your visit also marks a meaningful moment for our sporting community— a chance to reflect on our progress, and more importantly, where we are headed, together with the Olympic movement -Strait Times. “For the Singapore National Olympic Council, our athletes are —and will always be —at the heart of what we do.”— Agencies
