2026-01-03 9
New Year’s Message 2026 by IOC President Kirsty Coventry
3 min read
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Published on 01 January 2026
IOC President
IOC News
Dear Olympic friends,
As we welcome a new year, I want to thank you ? the entire Olympic community ? for the incredible support and encouragement you’ve given me during my first months as IOC President. Over these six months, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many of you ? listening, learning, and feeling the energy that drives our Olympic Movement. Your passion and commitment inspire me every day.
There is so much to look forward to at the start of this very special Olympic year. In just a few weeks, the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will bring together the best winter sport athletes in bella Italia ? a country that lives and breathes passion.
The torch is already moving across Italy, connecting communities and building excitement for Milano Cortina 2026. These Games will take athletes and fans to places where winter sport is part of daily life, showcasing existing world-class venues and celebrating the regions that live and breathe sport. Milano Cortina will be a new kind of Winter Games: Games where innovation meets tradition, gender equality reaches new heights, and iconic landscapes provide the perfect stage. As the first Games of my presidency, I am determined to make them a success ? for the athletes, for Italy, and for the entire Olympic Movement.
Later in the year, all eyes will turn to Africa for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games? the first Olympic event ever on African soil. As a proud African and Olympian, I could not be more excited. These Games will be a milestone ? not just for Senegal, but for all of Africa. They will showcase the energy, creativity and optimism of our continent ? and they will inspire young people everywhere to dream big.
As we look ahead, our Fit for the Future consultation is already in full swing, engaging voices from across the Olympic community. The discussions are lively and inspiring, and the ideas emerging will lead to concrete recommendations this summer ? setting the course for our Olympic Movement. I am encouraged by the sense of purpose that all of you bring to this process. Together, we will build our Olympic Movement that is strong, united and truly fit for the future.
There is so much to look forward to in 2026 ? so much to achieve together. I can’t wait to continue this journey with all of you, to make this Olympic year one of unity, inspiration and progress for our entire community.
Thank you ? and I wish you all a joyful and successful Olympic year ahead!
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