Coventry: There Is Much to Look Forward to in 2026, Much to Achieve Together

As we welcome a new year, I would like to thank all of you—the Olympic community—for the incredible support and encouragement you have given me during my first months as IOC President. Over these six months, I have had the privilege of meeting many of you: listening, learning, and feeling the energy that drives our Olympic Movement. Your passion and commitment inspire me every day.

There is much to look forward to at the start of this very special Olympic year. In just a few weeks, the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will bring together the world’s best winter sports athletes in beautiful Italy, a country that lives and breathes passion.

The Olympic torch is already traveling across Italy, connecting communities and building excitement for Milano Cortina 2026. These Games will take athletes and fans to places where winter sport is part of everyday life, showcasing existing world-class venues and celebrating regions that truly live and breathe sport. Milano Cortina will be a new kind of Winter Games—Games where innovation meets tradition, gender equality reaches new heights, and iconic landscapes provide the perfect stage. As these will be the first Games of my presidency, I am determined that they will be a success: for the athletes, for Italy, and for the entire Olympic Movement.

Later this year, all eyes will turn to Africa for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic event ever held on African soil. As a proud African and Olympian, I am deeply excited. These Games will mark a milestone not only for Senegal, but for the whole of Africa. They will showcase the energy, creativity, and optimism of our continent, and inspire young people around the world to dream big.

Looking ahead, our “Future Ready” consultation is already well underway, engaging the entire Olympic community. The discussions are lively and inspiring, and the ideas emerging will lead to concrete recommendations this summer that will help shape the future direction of our Olympic Movement. I am encouraged by the sense of purpose that each of you brings to this process. Together, we will build a strong, united Olympic Movement that is truly ready for the future.

There is much to look forward to in 2026, and much to achieve together. I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you, so that this Olympic year becomes a year of unity, inspiration, and progress for our entire community. Thank you, and I wish you all a happy and successful Olympic year!