Luis Mejía Oviedo Affirms: Sport Is the Path Toward a Better World

This Wednesday featured an afternoon dedicated to reflection, leadership, and the transformative power of sport, during the Panathlon Club Santo Domingo conference “The Current State of the International Olympic Movement,” delivered by Luis Mejía Oviedo, President of Centro Caribe Sports and member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The event brought together distinguished national and international sports figures, who gathered to hear a deep, historical, and contemporary perspective on Olympism from one of the most influential leaders in the region.

Exalting Olympism

The welcome remarks were delivered by Domingo Solano, sports leader and member of the Panathlon Club Santo Domingo, who stated:

“We welcome you all. This is an activity of the Panathlon Club Santo Domingo with Luis Mejía, who is very special due to his long career in national and international sport. His legacy is extensive. Thank you for accepting our invitation.”

The atmosphere was filled with respect, admiration, and collective reflection on the role of sport as an ethical and social tool.

A Journey Through Olympism: From Its Roots to Its Future

Luis Mejía Oviedo began his remarks by noting that in 2027 he will celebrate a decade as an IOC member, but his life within Olympism dates back to 1990—a journey that, he said, “has been a lifelong school of values, leadership, and commitment.”

The Centro Caribe Sports President highlighted the essence of Panathlon as a space of vocation and service, where those who remain in sport out of passion and conviction are recognized.

Throughout his talk, he addressed key moments of the Olympic Movement:
• Its philosophical origins, linked to education and character development.
• The Thomas Bach era, the strengthening of the symbolic value of the Olympic rings, and the staging of the Games amid the pandemic.
• Current challenges such as doping, illegal betting, and the ethical responsibility of sports institutions.

“The IOC has been able to navigate difficulties and preserve the essence of the Olympic Movement, even in times of war or pandemic,” he affirmed.

A New Era of Vision: Female Leadership and Transformative Power

Mejía highlighted one of the most significant recent milestones: the election of Kirsty Coventry, the first woman to serve as IOC President.

“Her African heritage and her career as an athlete are two highly meaningful milestones. It is proof that our women can—and must—occupy the highest positions within Olympism.”

He noted that this new phase of the Olympic Movement is driven by an unwavering purpose: “to unleash the transformative power of sport.”

This vision transcends competition and places the Olympic Movement on a path of global responsibility.

It includes measurable sustainability, ethical governance that inspires trust, responsible leadership aligned with the Olympic Charter, and a strong commitment to inclusion and equity. It also embraces the necessary respect for human nature in sport, opening the door to sensitive and current debates—such as the participation of transgender athletes—always with the defense of integrity and the essence of sport at the forefront.

A United Movement Working to Build a Better World

Mejía also emphasized the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility as pillars of the Olympic future.

“Respecting sustainability and contributing to the planet is one of our responsibilities. A better world is possible through sport,” he explained.

He also highlighted recent international strategic meetings, where global sports leaders worked without rigid protocols to modernize internal communication and rethink governance dynamics that strengthen the Olympic Movement and promote full inclusion.

Looking Ahead

The conference concluded with a reflection on what lies ahead: “We all have a responsibility. We are very comfortable with the transformation the IOC is undergoing. Women continue to demonstrate their capacity, and the difference is not made by gender; it is made by ideas, ethics, and the will to serve. That is the direction in which Olympism is moving today,” he concluded.