In her first visit to the country as president, she said the partnership will get stronger.

Singapore, 29 July 2025 — Newly elected President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Mrs Kirsty Coventry, pledged stronger cooperation with Singapore in her first visit to the country since assuming the position last month. Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Singapore National Olympic Council  (SNOC) at Swissôtel The Stamford’s Skai Suites, she shared her excitement in serving the Olympic Movement for the next eight years of her term, envisioning close collaboration with Singapore.

“I know that our partnership will only continue to get stronger. You have a huge supporter in me. My door is always open,” she said at a luncheon where she met Singapore Olympians, Youth Olympians, representatives from national sport associations, partners and sponsors. Mrs Coventry’s predecessor, Dr Thomas Bach, was also present.

The last IOC presidential visit to Singapore was in 2022, when Dr Bach made a one-day stopover. Mrs Coventry said she hoped to make him proud with her work, noting how sports can create a better world. “As athletes, we strive to inspire the next generation. Thank you for the commitment to ensuring that sport remains an inspiration and a platform for young people to live out their dreams,” said the former Olympic champion swimmer to a room of about 150 people.

Mrs Coventry is in Singapore to attend the World Aquatics Championships — the first time the event is being hosted by the city-state.

At the luncheon, SNOC President Grace Fu welcomed Mrs Coventry, who last visited Singapore in 2013 as a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.

“Since then, your leadership and impact on global sport have continued to grow, and your presence here today reaffirms our shared commitment to the Olympic ideals,” said Ms Fu, who is Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment.

“Your visit also marks a meaningful moment for our sporting community — a chance to reflect on our progress, and more importantly, where we are headed, together with the Olympic Movement,” she said, pointing to Singapore’s hosting of the inaugural 2010 Youth Olympic Games as a milestone.

“For the Singapore National Olympic Council, our athletes are — and will always be — at the heart of what we do,” she added.

The luncheon was one of several highlights of Mrs Coventry’s three-day visit. On the previous day, she called on Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and attended the induction of the 2025 honorees to the International Swimming Hall of Fame, which included Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling. She also visited the Botanic Gardens, where a new orchid — Dendrobium Kirsty Coventry — was named in her honour. Later, at Gardens by the Bay, she took part in a tree dedication ceremony, where a Baobab Tree (Adansonia digitata) was dedicated to her to commemorate her official visit.

Mrs Coventry, 41, is the youngest to head the IOC since Pierre de Coubertin, who is credited with founding the modern-day Olympics. She is also the first African and female to lead the Olympic movement.