The new President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has revealed that it is opposed to banning countries from the Olympic Games due to wars and will begin discussions on the possible return of Russia.

In Paris 2024 only participation in Russian athletes who competed as neutral because of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Kirst Coventry, the first female chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the first head of the organization from Africa.

The former Olympic swimmer, who won two gold medals for Zimbabwe, said she sees inconsistencies with today’s approach to Russia, while there are clashes in her own continent.

When asked a day after her election if it is opposed to the ban on countries by the Olympics due to conflict, Coventry said that “I am, but I think we should consider each case separately.”

“What I would like to do is create a special work group that will try to establish some political and guidelines that we can use as an organization to make decisions when we are involved in conflict,” he said.

“We have conflicts in Africa and they are horrible right now. Unfortunately, this issue is not going to disappear. So how are we going to protect and support athletes? ” questioned Coventry

“How do we ensure that all athletes have the opportunity to participate in the Olympics? And our responsibility is also to ensure that all the athletes who are there are safe and we support them during the Olympics. ”