The International Olympic Committee [IOC] announced the death of honorary member Lambis V. Nikolaou at 89. Nikolaou, who joined the IOC in 1986 and became an honorary member in 2016, served twice as President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee from 1985 to 1992 and 1997 to 2004. He was also the IOC Vice-President from 2005 to 2009 and played a pivotal role in Athens' successful bid for the 2004 Olympic Games.

The IOC expresses its condolences on the passing of Honorary Member Lambis V. Nikolaou, aged 89. Nikolaou served as an IOC Member from 1986-2016, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) for two terms, and Vice-President of the Organising Committee for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. IOC President Kirsty Coventry acknowledged Nikolaou's contributions to the Olympic Movement. He also contributed to the construction of the International Olympic Academy (IOA) Conference Centre and the new HOC headquarters.

The Hellenic Olympic Committee, led by Isidoros Kouvelos, hosted the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, marking the election of Kirsty Coventry as the first woman president of the IOC. Kouvelos praised outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach and expressed enthusiasm for supporting Coventry's leadership in promoting Olympic values through the International Olympic Academy.

IOC President Thomas Bach opened the 144th IOC Session in Ancient Olympia, Greece, emphasizing "Values first" and the importance of preserving Olympic values, paying tribute to Olympic history and expressing confidence in the future. He reminded members of the Olympic Truce and Pierre de Coubertin's vision, highlighting the session's focus on electing his successor.