Olympics: Kirsty Coventry Elected President of IOC

Andrea Florence , Sport & Rights Alliance

Sport & Rights Alliance Calls on New President to Prioritize Human Rights and Good Governance

(Amsterdam, 20 March 2025) — Kirsty Coventry has just made history as the first woman to be elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). While this is an important achievement, we call on the new president to use her influence to focus on the protection and rights of athletes, workers, spectators and communities, ensuring ongoing dialogue and meaningful consultation with potentially impacted groups.

In a time of unprecedented human rights backlash and violence against vulnerable communities, it is crucial the new president leads the global sporting community by example – and with a priority on the human rights and good governance commitments at the heart of the Olympic Charter.

Read the statement from executive director Andrea Florence below:

"As the new president of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry should prioritize the human rights and good governance commitments currently placed at the heart of the Olympic Charter. This election is happening at a pivotal moment in history, amid unprecedented human rights backlash and violence against vulnerable communities. It is crucial that the new president lead the global sporting community by example. We call on the new president to focus on the protection and rights of athletes, workers, spectators and communities, ensuring ongoing dialogue and meaningful consultation with potentially impacted groups. The Olympic Movement's legacy depends entirely on its leaders' unwavering commitment to equality, dignity, and integrity across all dimensions of sport – this will determine whether global sport truly advances the progress of tomorrow or merely perpetuates the injustices of today." Andrea Florence Executive Director, Sport & Rights Alliance

Related news

MORE NEWS

US: FIFA Cancels Anti-Bias Messaging for Club World Cup

US: FIFA Cancels Anti-Bias Messaging for Club World Cup

Soccer Governing Body Action For US Tournament Bodes Ill For 2026 World Cup (New York) – The global soccer governing body FIFA’s reported decision to cancel previously planned additional anti-racism and anti-discrimination messaging at Club World Cup venues in the United States signals a human rights risk for FIFA’s upcoming 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, the Dignity […]

READ MORE

Anatol Kotau, BSSF International Coordinator, Reported Missing in Turkey

Anatol Kotau, BSSF International Coordinator, Reported Missing in Turkey

Stand in Solidarity with Anatol Kotau The Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) calls on the international sports community and human rights organizations to urgently pay attention to the disappearance of Anatol Kotau, a prominent sports official and long-standing advocate for the rights of Belarusian athletes. Anatol Kotau is currently Coordinator for International Relations of the Belarusian Sport […]

READ MORE

Japan Acts to Protect Athletes from Abuse

Japan Acts to Protect Athletes from Abuse

Four Years Since Tokyo Olympics, Lawmakers Commit to Protecting Children Four years after hosting the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, Japan is finally taking action to protect athletes from abuse in sport. This month, the Japanese National Diet passed a revision to the Basic Act on Sport (2011), requiring the national and local governments to adopt measures […]

READ MORE

Related resources

MORE RESOURCES

“It’s often still dangerous for athletes to speak out.”

“It’s often still dangerous for athletes to speak out.”

Workshop Recap: Athletes as Human Rights Defenders The Athletes Network for Safer Sports held a workshop on June 27th on the topic of “Athletes as Human Rights Defenders.” Moderated by Network Coordinator Joanna Maranhão, the session explored what athletes face when they speak up for human rights and what practical measures should be put in […]

READ MORE

Submission to UN Human Rights Report on a World of Sport Free Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

Submission to UN Human Rights Report on a World of Sport Free Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

Countering Hate and Discrimination Against All People Impacted in Sport The world of sport is often perceived as a place in which none of the burdens and inequalities of society take place or could possibly exist. Embedded by ideals of excellence, respect and friendship, its philosophy often misleads people to discount the importance of critical […]

READ MORE

Survey: Help Shape UNESCO’s Global Safe Sport Policy Standards

Survey: Help Shape UNESCO’s Global Safe Sport Policy Standards

Take the Survey to Help Guide Safe Sport Policies Across the Globe In collaboration with UNESCO’s Sport Section, the Sport & Rights Alliance is conducting a survey to gather the perspectives of impacted people on UNESCO’s Global Policy Standards for Inclusive, Equitable and Safe Sport and Physical Education. The purpose of this consultation is to […]

READ MORE

Join the Network

GET INVOLVED NOW

Sport has the potential to be a catalyst for human development, unity, and freedom, but too often it instead brings harm to its athletes, fans, and communities. We exist to uncover and rectify the many abuses that exist both in and around sport. We aim to transform sports into an authentic force for good.

MORE ABOUT US