IOC chief Coventry offers sympathy with Iranians after 12-day war
Kirsty Coventry, the president of the International Olympic Committee, offered her condolences to the Iranian people, who lost their loved ones during the 12-war with Israel.
Nearly 700 civilians, including a number of Iranian athletes, were among the victims of Isreal’s unprovoked aggression against the country, which started on June 13, Iranian Health Ministry confirmed on Wednesday.
“Please allow me to offer my sincerest condolences and thoughts for the innocent victims of this conflict and their families,” Coventry wrote in response to a letter – dated June 23 – by Iranian National Olympic Committee chairman Mohammad-Hadi Khosravi-Vafa, in which he had urged the IOC to hand Israeli athletes suspension from all international sporting events.
“The IOC stands for peace, harmony and solidarity, and please be rest assured that, in the current international context more than ever, the IOC will continue to do its utmost at all levels to promote and safeguard the Fundamental Principles of Olympism and Olympic values, and particularly the unifying power of sport,” the former Zimbabwean swimmer added.
“Under these tragic circumstances, let me reiterate the IOC’s full support and solidarity to your NOC and the Iranian Olympic community as a whole.
“Thank you for valuable collaboration and continuous efforts to promote the Olympic values, and we remain fully at your disposal for any specific assistance you might need.”