Kirsty Coventry has marked major milestones in her first year at the helm of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), following the release of the organisation’s 2025 Olympic Solidarity and NOC Services Annual Report.
According to the report, the IOC has approved a record US$650 million budget for the 2025–2028 Olympic cycle, a 10 percent rise from the previous period as the organisation intensifies support for athletes and National Olympic Committees across the globe.
Under Coventry’s stewardship, direct athlete support received a notable boost, with funding for scholarships and team grants increasing by 16 percent to US$66 million. These resources are set to help athletes prepare for major international competitions, including the 2028 Summer Olympics.
The revamped funding model also expands support for National Olympic Committee administration, while strengthening programmes focused on gender equality, sustainable development, and refugee athlete empowerment through the IOC’s Olympism365 initiatives.
Coventry — Africa’s most decorated Olympian and former Zimbabwe sports minister said the new plan aims to reinforce global solidarity, sustainability, and athlete empowerment across all 206 National Olympic Committees
