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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

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Olympics: Kirsty Coventry Elected President of IOC

Olympics: Kirsty Coventry Elected President of IOC

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 […]

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Submission to UN Human Rights Report on Combating Discrimination and Violence Against Intersex Persons

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Ensuring the Rights of Intersex Athletes to Safe, Inclusive Sports Environments The LGBTI community faces numerous, often unique challenges when it comes to their right to participate in sport. Discriminatory narratives, exclusionary policies, and pervasive online harassment are just a few of the significant obstacles that hinder their ability to engage and enjoy in sports […]

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The Olympic flag is displayed at the entrance of the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, March 23, 2020. © 2020 Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP

Olympics: Presidential Candidates Need to Step Up on Rights

Lack of Priority for IOC Human Rights Policies Poses Risk to Athletes, Fans, Workers (Amsterdam, February 26, 2025) – Candidates for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) failed to adequately address human rights and good governance in documents outlining their proposed programs, in advance of March elections, the Sport & Rights Alliance said […]

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Trans, Gender Diverse and Intersex Inclusion in Sports is a Human Right

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This statement calls for inclusive approaches to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender identity or sex characteristics, can participate safely and equitably in sports. We, the undersigned organizations and individuals committed to gender equality, human rights, social justice, and LGBTIQ+ rights, welcome the report on the right to participate in sports by Alexandra Xanthaki, the […]

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