Chinese Olympic Committee congratulates Coventry on election as IOC chief

Head of the Chinese Olympic Committee sent a congratulatory letter on Thursday night to Kirsty Coventry, the newly elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), pledging to further deepen its strategic partnership with the organization.

Kirsty Coventry was elected on Thursday as the 10th president of the IOC, making history as the first woman and the first African to lead the global Olympic movement.

In the letter, Gao Zhidan, president of the Chinese Olympic Committee and head of China's General Administration of Sport, said Coventry's election fully reflects the trust and support of the Olympic community.

Gao expressed confidence that under Coventry's leadership, the Olympic Movement would reach new heights in its development.

Gao said the Chinese Olympic Committee is committed to deepening its strategic partnership with the IOC and contributing to the Olympic Movement's reform and development.

Coventry, 41, who secured the presidency in the first round of voting, will officially take office after June 23, succeeding Thomas Bach, who has served as president since 2013.

Coventry's presidency is set for an eight-year term, with the option to seek a four-year extension.

As the youngest of the seven candidates, Coventry's campaign emphasized modernizing the Olympic movement, enhancing youth engagement, and strengthening the role of athletes within the IOC's decision-making processes, Xinhua reported.

She has also prioritized digital transformation to make the Games more accessible and relevant to younger audiences, along with sustainability efforts to ensure that the Olympic Games remain environmentally and financially viable, according to the report.