IOC President Kirsty Coventry receives the Onesti Prize: “A recognition that touches my heart”

AT THE ACQUA ACETOSA CPO

05 December 2025

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This morning in Rome, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry received the Giulio Onesti Prize. At the ceremony, which took place in the Sala Magna of the CONI Acqua Acetosa Olympic Preparation Centre, the Onesti Foundation President, Franco Carraro, and the CONI President, Luciano Buonfiglio, were in attendance (photo: Roberto Di Tondo/CONI).

Having participated in the lighting ceremony of the Olympic brazier at Piazza Quirinale in anticipation of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, Coventry arrived at the Giulio Onesti Centre at Acqua Acetosa at around 12 noon to receive the award. “Rome has a special place in my heart. I remember the 2009 World Swimming Championships. This award touches my heart. I am speechless; it is beautiful” said the IOC President, who won a gold medal and set a world record in the 200 metres backstroke at the 2009 event in Rome, as well as a silver medal in the 400 metres medley.

To honour the former Zimbabwean athlete's achievements, President Buonfiglio presented her with a painting based on a photograph taken at the 2009 World Championships in Rome. “I started my sporting career at this centre many years ago, when TV was still in black and white” recalled the CONI president. “We have several things in common: we were both athletes, and now we are both directors. We share the same values, passion, vision and emotions. I want to give you this small gift to mark this special occasion for us all”.

“Dear Kirsty, thank you for being with us. It is a fantastic day for Italian sport” said President Carraro, who then recalled the story of Giulio Onesti in his speech. “We decided to award President Coventry because she is an Olympic and world champion. She has three children and was Minister of Sport in her country. Today, she has set a new record by being elected President of the IOC” concluded the honorary member of the International Olympic Committee.