The ICC chairman Jay Shah has congratulated Kirsty Coventry on becoming the first female president of the International Olympic Council (IOC) in Costa Navarino, Greece on Thursday.
Coventry became the tenth President of the IOC and first woman and as well the first African to get the position in the organisation’s history.
Jay Shah who was present during the 144th IOC session where Coventry was chosen over fellow presidential candidates HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Lord Sebastian Coe and Morinari Watanabe.
Kirsty Coventry will be assuming office after a handover from President Thomas Bach on June 23.
“Congratulations and best wishes to newly-elected IOC President
@KirstyCoventry, an honour thoroughly deserved and something I’m humbled to have been present for in Greece after hosting you at the @ICC #ChampionsTrophy. I look forward to working with you and your team on cricket’s inclusion in the @LA28 Games – and beyond,” Shah wrote on X.
Congratulations and best wishes to newly-elected IOC President @KirstyCoventry, an honour thoroughly deserved and something I’m humbled to have been present for in Greece after hosting you at the @ICC #ChampionsTrophy.
I look forward to working with you and your team on… pic.twitter.com/9ShJLxwL5w
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) March 20, 2025
Kirsty Coventry was also invited to attend the matches during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai and was in attendance to watch the first semi finals between India and Australia on March 04.
Cricket’s return to Olympics is being seen as a big opportunity to promote the sport worldwide. Along with cricket, baseball/softball, Flag Football, lacrosse and squah will be also be included in the LA Games 2028.
The IPC president Andrew Parsons said, “The IOC is the IPC’s most important strategic partner and on behalf of the whole Paralympic Movement I would like to congratulate Kirsty on her election as IOC President.
“To become the first woman and African to be President of the IOC is historic, and throughout her campaign Kirsty championed harnessing the power of sport to make a difference.”
“Over the last weeks and months, we have spoken regularly on building an even stronger partnership between the IOC and IPC. We look forward to working with her from June when the handover to the new IOC President takes place,” added Parsons.
“I’d also like to thank President Bach for his service over the last 12 years and congratulate him on his election as IOC Honorary President for Life.
Under President Bach’s leadership the co-operation between the IOC and IPC has grown much stronger, and I hold in high regard the relationship we have developed together while working collaboratively to advance our respective Movements,” concluded Andrew parsons.
