International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry has reiterated her stance that sport should remain separate from politics, a message she has promoted since assuming the presidency last year.
Coventry, a former Olympic swimmer from Zimbabwe, took office as IOC president in 2025. She has consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining sport's neutrality amid increasing geopolitical tensions that have affected international competitions.
The call for separation comes as sports organizations worldwide face pressure to take political stances or exclude athletes based on national government actions. Coventry's position aligns with the IOC's long-standing principle of political neutrality, though critics argue that complete separation is increasingly difficult in practice.
