World Athletics President Sebastian Coe supports the inclusion of cross-country running in the Winter Olympics, possibly as early as the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps. This initiative, backed by IOC President Kirsty Coventry and others, aims to introduce new sports and increase African representation. Discussions also involve other sports like BMX and cyclo-cross.

Kirsty Coventry, the newly-elected IOC president, received a warm welcome in Zimbabwe following the 144th IOC Session. The former Olympian and Zimbabwe's Minister of Sport was celebrated at Harare Airport, with government officials and citizens expressing their pride. Coventry, who will succeed Thomas Bach in June, acknowledged the historic nature of her election as the first female and African IOC president. Key challenges ahead include athlete welfare, Russia's status, gender eligibility, and managing relations with the US ahead of Los Angeles 2028.

Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe has been elected as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), marking the first time a woman has held the position. She was elected in the first round of voting at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, succeeding Thomas Bach whose tenure ends on June 23, 2025. Coventry expressed her honor and commitment to uniting, inspiring, and creating opportunities through sport. Bach welcomed her election, anticipating strong cooperation during the transition.

The race to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC President intensifies with Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., Sebastian Coe, and Kirsty Coventry emerging as leading candidates. Samaranch Jr. emphasizes continuity, Coe champions reform, and Coventry promotes renewal and diversity. The election, to be held during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece on 2025-03-20, is marked by rising tensions and criticisms over transparency, with each candidate offering a distinct vision for the future of the Olympic Movement. Other candidates include Johan Eliasch, Morinari Watanabe, David Lappartient and Prince Feisal al-Hussein.

IOC presidential candidates address the contentious issue of transgender athletes' participation in women's sports, ahead of the election on March 20, 2025. Candidates including Morinari Watanabe, Feisal Al Hussein, David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Sebastian Coe, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., and Kirsty Coventry express a consensus around the need to protect women's sports while differing on the approach. The debate is fueled by scientific studies indicating persistent physical advantages for transgender women, and high-profile cases such as Caster Semenya, Lia Thomas, and Imane Khelif. Donald Trump's executive order banning transgender women from women's sports in federally funded institutions adds further complexity, with potential implications for the IOC's policies and the participation of transgender athletes in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.