Online Reporter
Moses Titigu Moses
When former Zimbabwe Minister of Sport, Kirsty Coventry got to the helm of the International Olympic Committee many people did not give her a chance.
Being the women’s month, celebrating her leadership and her studious participation at the helm of IOC has plunged her into the centre of world sport versus politics.
But as times moved, she showed great wisdom, smart navigating skills, unquestionable leadership and an exceptional appetite and craving to bring back sanity to heavily-politicised sports.
Under the previous leader, Thomas Bach, IOC had become the nerve-centre of world politics, exposing sportspeople as cannon fodder for a United States political launchpad against Russia, Belarus and many other countries, deemed opponents.
By the time Kirsty Coventry arrived in Switzerland no one had hope of bringing back sanity. No one had hope that sports could be de-politicised.
The turning point in the sport-politics matrix had been the launch of Russia’s Military Operation in Ukraine where athletes from those countries found themselves being sacrificed at the altar of political expedience.
Suffice it to say, Russian and Belarusian athletes had nothing to contribute to the political decision making of their country, but had only talent to show to the world, suddenly found themselves disenfranchised
Now under Coventry athletes, who had been banned from competing under their national flags- (something that undignified them) are now going to be able to fly high their flags.
But the main problem of the moment of the war in Iran, where the situation challenges Coventry to make a comparative analysis on the treatment of US-Israel aggression on Iran and the subsequent impact.
When the war in Ukraine broke out IOC was quick to act and ban Russian and Belarussian athletes. Today, nothing has been done by the IOC.
Many countries are demanding that UD and Israel athletes be given same treatment like was done Russia and Belarussian athletes.
When the end does not justify the means, the countries affected continue to question the pedigree and ingenuity of IOC.
The demand is getting louder and louder and the world waits in bated breath to see how IOC is going to manage this.
It is unavoidable to deal with the issue of US-Israel invasion.
But Coventry as season athlete and experienced administrator might not find it difficult to solve the problem. She has the depth of character and can make a difference by being fair to everyone.
IOC is about sports. Sports are about fairness.
Everyone awaits action. Tangible action. Coventry knows that, the invasion of Iran by Israel and US gives the IOC the opportunity to reverse what Thomas Bach did.
The way Coventry and his team will handle this US-Israel invasion must set the pace and precedence, must show the world that fairness and justice exist.
Everyone knows that Coventry and his team must avoid driving themselves into a dead end, given the good work they have already done.
The world has been waiting to see IOC apply the same measure, sanctioning athletes from Israel and US, but IOC has refused to sanction them, through an official statement.
Question on whether the decision is right or not have raised emotions. Questions about fairness have also raised emotions. Questions about how Russia and Belarus feel about the treatment of US and Israel also raise emotions.
They have been serious concerns about IOC being able to handle this political issue but Coventry is said to be working on something to fix things.
She is intelligent. She is strong.
The president of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Annalena Baerbock, issued a solemn appeal urging all Member States to uphold the Olympic Truce.
This is a longstanding tradition ensuring safe passage for athletes and officials attending the Olympic Games.
President Baerbock is welcoming the leadership of Olympic athletes in promoting peace and human understanding through sport and the Olympic ideal.
So the refusal by IOC to sanction US and Israel athletes has serious ripple effects. While IOC is trying to take a middle of the road approach, Russia and Belarus feel cheated.
So, the world awaits Coventry’s action in the mix of things.
There is no doubt that she will be fair and concise to everyone. She is a great athlete and a great leader. – Belgian ThinkTank.
