IOC President Kirsty Coventry has congratulated Luciano Buonfiglio on his election as President of CONI. In a letter addressed to Buonfiglio, the head of the global Olympic movement extended her “sincerest congratulations” and “best wishes for a successful term”.

“The IOC looks forward to continuing its fruitful collaboration with your National Olympic Committee,” wrote President Coventry. “We stand ready to support you and your team in promoting the work of your NOC and supporting your athletes, particularly in the lead-up to and during the upcoming Olympic Games”.

Coventry reaffirmed the vital role of National Olympic Committees, noting that they “play a fundamental role both within their countries and in the Olympic Movement as a whole”. She added: “We count on your personal commitment to uphold the Olympic Charter and to promote Olympic values”.

The IOC President, who succeeded Thomas Bach in March and officially took office on 24 June, also thanked Buonfiglio for his message of congratulations. “Your kind words of encouragement and warm wishes mean a great deal to me as I take on this important respons.ibility,” she wrote, “and they remind me of the incredible community that makes the Olympic Movement so special”.

The letter concluded with the hope of meeting in person and an official invitation to Lausanne: “I would be honoured to welcome you to Olympic House this September,” President Coventry wrote.