HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, Senior Vice-President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) attended the 144th Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which was held on Thursday in Pylos, Greece. The session was chaired by Dr Thomas Bach, the former president of the IOC, and attended by members of the Executive Board, IOC members, Presidents of International Federations.
Taking place close to ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympics, the session discussed several topics related to the development of the Olympic Movement, along with reviewing the agenda items and taking the necessary decisions. The session also witnessed the election of Kristy Coventry as the new President of the IOC, succeeding Bach, whose term had come to an end. 97 IOC members voted in the election, which marked the first IOC presidential election to be held since 2013.
HE Sheikh Joaan congratulated Coventry on her election as IOC President, wishing her success in leading the global Olympic Movement and further advancing its growth and prosperity. HE also expressed his confidence in the new President-elect ability to continue efforts in promoting Olympic values and strengthening the role of sport as a means of unity and sustainable development. He emphasised the importance of co-operation between the IOC and National Olympic Committees to achieve the goals of the Olympic Movement and uphold its principles worldwide.
