+ Russia's participation
Should athletes from Russia and Belarus be welcomed back again? After Russia's full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to participate in the Paris Olympic Games last summer under a neutral flag and with demands for neutrality. Teams were not allowed to participate at all. But it didn't apply to all sports. For example, athletics has completely excluded athletes from the countries. What will happen in the future? Next, the winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina 2026 and then the summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028 are waiting.
+ Trump's presidency
When the Olympic Games take place in Los Angeles 2028, Donald Trump will still be the President of the USA and he will likely want to put his mark on the Games when they are hosted by the country. A challenge for the IOC is to guarantee that athletes, leaders, and supporters from all over the world can feel welcome in the USA and obtain visas to enter the country. Currently, the USA has visa restrictions for more than 40 countries, according to the news agency AP. Recently, Cuba's men's national basketball team was not allowed to play away against Puerto Rico, which is an American territory, due to a denied visa.
+ Olympic Games in the Middle East?
The hosting of all Olympic Games up to and including 2034 has already been decided – the next election to take place under Coventry's presidency concerns the summer Olympic Games 2036.
In recent years, countries in the Middle East have invested billions in sports and been rewarded with championships such as the men's World Championship in football (Qatar 2022 and Saudi Arabia 2034). Investments that are often accused of being "sportswashing" – a way to whitewash the image of an authoritarian regime that violates human rights.
The question is how the new IOC leadership will position itself if, for example, Saudi Arabia wants to host the Olympic Games 2036. India is also highlighted as a potential candidate.
"It is important that the IOC can continue on the path with a focus on sustainable Games, equality, and that the Olympic Games are preferably held in democratic countries", says Hans von Uthmann, chairman of the Swedish Olympic Committee, in a comment after Coventry was elected.
At the same time, the IOC has not hesitated to award, for example, China (summer 2008, winter 2022) and Russia (winter 2014) Olympic Games during the 2000s.
