World Sailing President extends congratulations to incoming IOC President Kirsty Coventry following Presidential Handover Ceremony in Lausanne

Bach, an Olympic champion in fencing for Germany at the Olympic Games Montreal 1976, has been leading the organisation for 12 years following his election as the 9th IOC President in 2013. On Olympic Day, which takes place on 23 June each year to commemorate the founding of the modern Olympic Games Bach symbolically passed the key for Olympic House from one Olympic champion to another in a moment of historical significance.

World Sailing President Quanhai Li congratulated Ms Coventry on becoming IOC President and thanked Thomas Bach for his leadership over the last 12 years.

He said, “On behalf of World Sailing, I extend my warmest congratulations to Kirsty Coventry on formally becoming IOC President. On Olympic Day it is important to remember the principles that underpin the Olympic Movement and Ms Coventry is a superb choice to lead us into the future. We look forward to working closely with the IOC to continue making a vital contribution to the Olympic Movement and supporting athletes the world over in achieving their dreams on and off the water. I would also like to thank Thomas Bach for his support for sailing and leadership since 2013. The Olympic Movement is in a stronger position now than it was, and we are confident Ms Coventry will build on this legacy to teach, inspire and change the lives of athletes everywhere.”

Coventry, a double Olympic champion in swimming from Zimbabwe (2004, 2008), was elected as the 10th IOC President at the 144th IOC Session this March in Olympia, Greece, and has been elected for a term of eight years.

Watch the full IOC Presidency handover video here:

Additional text and images courtesy of Olympics.com.