site.btaBulgarian Olympic Committee President Calls for Greater Visibility for Coaches, Preserving Olympic Movement's Traditions

Bulgarian Olympic Committee President and member of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Public Affairs and Corporate Communications Commission Vesela Lecheva called for greater visibility for coaches and the preservation of the independence and traditions of the Olympic Movement. The former shooting athlete took part in the "Future Ready" discussion on the Olymic Movement's future in Lausanne.

At the IOC headquarters, Lecheva met with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, whose idea it was to hold joint meetings of all commissions. Lecheva thanked the first female president of the International Olympic Committee for the initiative, which gives all commission members the opportunity to express their views on the future of the Olympic Movement. 

In Lecheva's words, Coventry gathered all IOC commission members on Wednesday to identify the biggest challenges facing the Olympic Movement, as well as the great opportunities. At the beginning of her term, the new IOC President wants to hear every voice that can contribute to the sustainable development of the organization. "That is why the most important topics I raised were the balance between sports, how to maintain neutrality against the backdrop of major geopolitical conflicts, and how to focus on coaches as the people behind the success of athletes," Lecheva noted.  

After the meetings with the commission members, Coventry will present the ideas for development to the Executive Board and outline the path for the coming years.

"The Olympic Movement must maintain its independence. This is precisely what makes it sustainable over time and the IOC an organization that is respected throughout the world and able to weather any turbulent times," Lecheva added.

She also drew attention to another issue - the status of coaches. "There are many great athletes, Olympic and world champions among us. We are the people who know best who helped us become champions. These people are our coaches. Should coaches also be stars? Should they be promoted as role models? Should they receive more media attention? Do you know the name of Messi's first coach or Federer's first coach?" Lechova asked her counterparts.

She also spoke on the topic of the Olympic programme. "We are all familiar with the policy of introducing new sports, which is dictated by the desire to attract young people, to take into account the national characteristics of the host cities, and to encourage innovation and development," Lecheva continued.

"I hope I do not sound old-fashioned, but I am convinced that despite all this, we must preserve tradition and balance. We must be very careful when making changes so as not to damage the most valuable thing we have - tradition," Lecheva concluded.