IWF President in Lausanne for the IOC President Handover Ceremony
The IWF President Mohammed Jalood was today in Lausanne (SUI), for the President Handover Ceremony at the International Olympic Committee. Thomas Bach, IOC President since 2013, gave the symbolic key of the Olympic House, to his successor, Kirsty Coventry, elected last March as the 10th President in the history of the IOC. Ms Coventry is a two-time Swimming Olympic champion, and is the first woman and African to lead the IOC since its foundation in 1894.
“Today is a day of gratitude. Today is a day of confidence. Today is a day of joy. There are many emotions I feel in this moment – but most of all, I feel gratitude. Gratitude, above all, to our beloved founder Pierre de Coubertin — whose body rests just a stone’s throw from here, and whose heart lies in Ancient Olympia. To him we owe everything. I am sure he is watching us today from his Olympic heights, with that familiar smile, and that he feels content to see his – and our – Olympic Movement flourishing, true to his vision and more relevant than ever,” considered Mr Bach.
Kirsty Coventry (left) receiving the keys of the Olympic House from Thomas Bach – Photo credit: IOC Media
The Ceremony taking place in the Olympic Day, the words of the outgoing IOC President highlighted the development of the Olympic Movement: “The IOC continues to evolve. As the first female and first African to hold this position – and indeed the youngest IOC President since Pierre de Coubertin – Ms Kirsty Coventry reflects the truly global nature and the youthful, forward-looking spirit of our Olympic community. She brings her own unique style and her own dynamic perspective. She has a new voice that resonates with the young generation,” he concluded.
Kirsty Coventry paid a sincere tribute to Mr Bach: “We look forward to making you proud in the future. You’ve left us with many legacies. One of those being: ‘together’. And that’s something that I hope we all feel today. “So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for leading us with all that passion and that purpose for so many years, and never wavering once from our values. It means a lot, especially in today’s world.”
Photo credit: IOC Media
The swimming champion then spoke about the importance of the ongoing co-operation of all Olympic stakeholders: “IOC Members are the guardians of this Movement. As the Olympic Movement, as Federations, as NOCs, as our sponsors and our partners, we are the guardians of this incredible platform. And it’s not just about a multi-sport event. It’s a platform to inspire. It’s a platform to change lives. And it’s a platform to bring hope. These are not things taken lightly, and I’m looking forward to working with each and every one of you to make sure that we continue to inspire, continue to change lives, and in our divided world today, continue to be a beacon of hope.”
