Kirsty Coventry, the new chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), started her four-year official term on the 23rd (Korean time), which is Olympic Day.
At 11 a.m. (local time), the IOC held a ceremony at the Lausanne Olympic House in Switzerland to end Thomas Bach's 12-year term, as well as the inauguration of Coventry, the new IOC president, which opens a new era for the Olympic movement.
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| Coventry, the new IOC president, smiles after giving Bach the Olympic Golden Medal of Honor. |
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The scene where IOC Honorary Chairman Bach handed over the golden key to the Olympic House to the new chairman of Coventry was the highlight of the inauguration ceremony. "With gratitude, confidence, and joy, I convey the key to the Olympic House today to Kirsty Coventry, the 10th IOC PresidentChairman Bach's words were met with applause. Bach served as IOC head for 12 years after being elected as the ninth chairman at the 125th IOC General Assembly in Buenos Aires in 2013. At the Paris Olympics last year "A new era requires a new leader" stated that he had no intention of seeking a fourth consecutive term. At the 144th IOC General Assembly held in Greece in March this year, Zimbabwe's Sports Minister Coventry, who was born in 1983, made the history of being elected as the first woman in the 131-year history of the IOC, an African-born chairman. Coventry is a gold medalist in the women's 200m backstroke at the 2004 Athens Olympics and 2008 Beijing Olympics, and is a 'Legend'Olimian who has won seven Olympic medals.
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| International Olympic Committee (IOC) present Kirsty Coventry delivering the |
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Chairman Coventry's inaugural address was warm and exuberant. She thanked her grandmother, mother, daughter and family, and the strong women she met in life, who raised her as a humble and realistic woman from an early age. She thanked Coach Kim. When I won my first gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, my coach's baby was 7 months old, and now my baby is 7 months old. "He taught me not only his life as a good player, but also his life as a great wife and a great mother outside the swimming pool." She gave meaning to her husband and daughter, saying, `They are constantly reminding me why the Olympic movement is important, why change is needed, and why new ways should be embraced.' Chairman Coventry thanked all parents here, all parents around the world who are sacrificing every day to make their children's dreams come true," he said, bowing his head.
Coventry then emphasized the solidarity of sportspeople around the world through the Olympic movement. "In our Olympic movement, you are all cobwebs. It's complicated and beautiful and strong. But this is only possible if we work together and remain united" he said emphatically. Reporter Jeon Young-ji
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
