Milan, March 21 (LaPresse) – "Obviously, she will have priority in making decisions. I don’t think it would be right at the beginning to have 'the old one' lingering around her." This was said by Thomas Bach, outgoing president of the IOC, speaking about his successor Kirsty Coventry, during a press conference at the end of the 144th session of the committee, confirming that the new president will always have the final say during the 'coexistence' period on any issue where their opinions may diverge. Coventry will officially become president on June 24, and on Friday morning, she had breakfast with Bach to discuss the transition period. "I assured her that from now on – Bach declared – no decision will be made over her head. This will be done in full consultation. And if there are differing views between me and her, her view will prevail." "I am very relieved to see the unity shown by the election result yesterday, so that this important pillar for the success of the Olympic Movement has even been strengthened. That’s why you see me happy, relaxed, and relieved," continued the former German fencer, who was named honorary president of the International Olympic Committee.
One of the many problems that Coventry will have to face is climate change, with Bach admitting that rescheduling the Summer Olympic Games away from August will be inevitable in the future. "We will have to look at the overall calendar and then fit the Olympic Games into that calendar," he said. "And there, the question is whether it can still be done in August, and in some parts of the world, it’s already clear that it can't be done in August. That’s why my successors will need to find timely solutions," he added. "But the Olympic agenda is not about just one element or topic. It’s like a puzzle where everything has to come together to give the Olympic Movement new relevance and credibility, and diversity and gender equality are one of those puzzle pieces," he explained. Finally, Bach said he has full confidence that his successor will meet the expectations. "She is used to coexistence. It helps to be an athlete, you know how to manage high expectations and know that expectations are pressure only if they are your own expectations," he concluded, still talking about Coventry.
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