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 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

Dr. Kathleen Cravero Appointed as Board Chair of the Sport & Rights Alliance

Dr. Kathleen Cravero Appointed as Board Chair of the Sport & Rights Alliance

Coalition Welcomes Former Top UN Official and Philanthropy Leader (Amsterdam, 30 April 2025) – The Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kathleen Cravero as its new Board Chair. Bringing over three decades of experience championing child rights, gender equity, and coalition building, Kathleen joins the SRA at a […]

READ MORE

Job Opening: Social Media & Communications Assistant

Job Opening: Social Media & Communications Assistant

­ Job Description: Social Media & Communications Assistant Start date:       July 2025 Location:         Remote Reporting to:   Communications Coordinator Hours:             15 hours/week Application Deadline: 30 June 2025 Summary The Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) is seeking a social media and communications assistant to help manage and create content for the SRA external […]

READ MORE

Related resources

“We’re building a lasting movement of resistance.”

“We’re building a lasting movement of resistance.”

Workshop Recap: Dynamics of Abuse – Gender Based Violence The month of March marks International Women’s Month – a time to remember and honor the historical fight of women around the world on issues that challenges their existence. Committed to our goals of amplifying women and girls’ voices and their experiences in sport, the Athletes […]

READ MORE

Aerial shot of four crew rowers on teal water with Title: Behind the Statistics with blue highlight and eyebrow header above

Episode 2: “Behind the Statistics”

Understanding the data on abuse in sports Watch the second episode of our three-part series exploring scientific data on violence in sports: “Behind the Statistics.” In this video, we dive into prevalence studies and associated factors that put some groups of athletes at higher risk. Led by Dr Aurelie Pankowiak, postdoctoral researcher at the Institute […]

READ MORE

Job Opening: Social Media & Communications Assistant

Job Opening: Social Media & Communications Assistant

­ Job Description: Social Media & Communications Assistant Start date:       July 2025 Location:         Remote Reporting to:   Communications Coordinator Hours:             15 hours/week Application Deadline: 30 June 2025 Summary The Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) is seeking a social media and communications assistant to help manage and create content for the SRA external […]

READ MORE

Join the Network

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.