Coventry hails Asia's Olympic role at OCA General Assembly

BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) -- International Olympic Committee (IOC) President-elect Kirsty Coventry declared Asia "a central cog in the Olympic Movement" during her keynote speech at the 45th Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly on Monday.

Addressing delegates from 45 OCA member committees at the Kuwait-based assembly, the Zimbabwean former swimming champion emphasized Asia's "dynamism, passion, and ambition" in her first formal address since election.

"Asia has always had a special place in the Olympic Movement - and in my heart. You are central to its future," said Coventry, who will succeed Thomas Bach on June 23.

Coventry - who will become the first female IOC president and its first leader from outside Europe or North America - pledged to prioritize dialogue with athletes.

"My first priority is to listen - to hear your needs, expectations, and visions for shaping our Movement," stated the seven-time Olympian, vowing to keep athletes "at the heart of everything".

Coventry framed her strategy around dual pillars: Elite-level Games delivery and grassroots Olympic values promotion.

"We must better support athletes' journeys through listening - to them and to the NOCs guiding them," she asserted, recalling her awe at the 2008 Beijing Olympics' opening ceremony in the Bird's Nest stadium.

Highlighting Asia's "unprecedented" hosting of three consecutive Games - at PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 - she praised the continent's innovative spirit, particularly regarding the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2027 in Riyadh. Enditem