As we conclude a momentous month for the future of the Olympic Movement, I reflect on the significance of the 144th IOC Session, held in my native Greece.
It was a great honour for Greece to host the election of the 10th IOC President, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to President-elect Kirsty Coventry. This historic election marks a new era for the IOC, as the first female President takes office—a testament to the progress made in gender equality within the Olympic Movement. The European Olympic Committees (EOC) is proud to champion this cause, with seven female members on our current Executive Committee.
I have no doubt that President-elect Coventry’s vast experience, both within the IOC and in Zimbabwe, will propel the Olympic Movement to new heights. The EOC looks forward to working closely with her in shaping the future of sport.
On a personal note, it was an honour and privilege to be elected as an IOC Executive Board (EB) member at Costa Navarino. In this role, I will represent not only the EOC but also all National Olympic Committees (NOCs) worldwide. I am joined on the IOC EB by Octavian Morariu (Romania), while Baron Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant (Belgium) has been elected as an IOC Vice-President. Notably, eight of the 14 IOC EB members are European, including EOC Executive Committee (ExCom) member Emma Terho, showcasing Europe’s strength in the global Olympic Movement.
At the EOC, our newly elected ExCom held its first informal virtual meeting on 6 March, following the elections at the 54th General Assembly in Frankfurt on 28 February. This meeting was an important moment to welcome the new members ahead of our first official meeting on 12 May in Rome. With representation from across the continent, the new ExCom embodies the unity, talent, and ambition of European sport. It is a testament to the EOC’s ongoing strength and influence in shaping the global Olympic landscape. I am confident that this team will sustain and enhance Europe’s leadership in the Olympic Movement.
A key focus of our ExCom’s term will be the successful organisation of the European Games Istanbul 2027. We are working diligently to finalise the sports programme, recognizing the importance of early confirmation for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Looking ahead, I am eager to attend the EU Sport Forum in Kraków this April, an event that will further highlight our standing in European sport and provide an excellent platform to showcase the work we continue to do.
Thank you for your continued support of the EOC’s activities.
