Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
KIRSTY Coventry has marked significant milestones in her first year at the helm of the International Olympic Committee following the release of the Olympic Solidarity and NOC Services Annual Report for 2025.
The report unveiled a record US$650 million budget for the 2025 to 2028 Olympic cycle, representing a 10 percent increase from the previous quadrennial as the IOC intensifies support for athletes and National Olympic Committees worldwide.
Under Coventry’s leadership, direct athlete support programmes received a 16 percent funding increase amounting to US$66 million, with the funds targeting scholarships and team grants aimed at helping athletes prepare for major international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics.
The new funding model also includes increased support for National Olympic Committee management, as well as programmes promoting gender equality, sustainable development and refugee athlete initiatives through Olympism365 projects.
Coventry, who is Africa’s most decorated Olympian and a former Zimbabwe sports minister, said the plan seeks to strengthen solidarity, sustainability and athlete empowerment across all 206 National Olympic Committees.
