Online Reporter
INTERNATIONAL Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry has called on the European Union and its Member States to safeguard the autonomy of sport and support the political neutrality of the IOC and the Olympic Games.
In a video message to the European Union Sport Forum on Thursday, the IOC president from Zimbabwe highlighted the unique role of sport in bringing people together at a time of increasing global conflict.
Reflecting in particular on the recent Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Coventry emphasised how “Sport and the Olympic Games in particular – offer the opposite of the division we see in this world. They offer a rare space where people meet not as adversaries, but as fellow human beings. A much-needed space of peaceful competition.”
Building on this, Coventry stressed that sport’s unifying power can be realised only if it is protected from political interference: “Athletes can only inspire us if they are able to compete. They can only do so if we keep sport strictly neutral ground. If politics does not take over on the field of play. For all of us, this means that we must protect the autonomy of sport. So that we can tell all the athletes, no matter where they come from: yes, you can compete freely, without political interference beyond your control.”
She then appealed directly to European leaders: “I call on the EU and its Member States to stand by these principles that you have recognised so often: respect the autonomy of sport and support the political neutrality of the IOC and of the Olympic Games.
“Because only then can the power of sport truly unfold.”
The IOC president also emphasised the broader role of sport in society, highlighting the strength of the European Sport Model – built on solidarity, openness and opportunity for all – and called for the EU’s forthcoming strategic vision for sport to reaffirm its value.
“This model lives every day at the heart of our communities through grassroots sport,” she said. “Investing in this model means investing in healthier, more cohesive and more resilient communities across Europe.”
Highlighting the wider benefits of sport and physical activity, she noted that investment in sport delivers significant social and economic returns, while playing a crucial role in improving both physical and mental health.
“Physical activity is not only a lifestyle choice; it is one of the most effective low-cost, high-impact tools to prevent disease and support mental health,” she said.
Concluding her address, Coventry expressed confidence in the continued role of sport as a force for good: “If we stay true to the principles and values that unite us, then I have no doubt that sport can continue to play its role in our societies, and that the Olympic Games can continue to be a beacon of hope for us all.”
The annual EU Sport Forum is the European Commission’s flagship event for shaping the future of sport at European level, bringing together key stakeholders from across the continent to discuss EU sports policy, as well as major challenges and opportunities for cooperation. – olympics.com.
