section_path: Abstract
section_name: Abstract
paragraph_text: The 144th IOC Session was held in Costa Navarino, Pylos, Greece, from 18 to 21 March 2025. At this session, Zimbabwean former Olympic swimmer Kirsty Coventry was elected as the tenth President of the International Olympic Committee, becoming the first woman and the first African to hold the position and succeeding the ninth President, German Thomas Bach.
  
  Greece was originally selected to host the 137th IOC Session that was due to take place in 2021, however, COVID-19 travel restrictions forced the session to be held virtually.
  
  The Session itself took place in the House of Events at the Costa Navarino resort in Pylos, while the Opening Ceremony performances took place in Ancient Olympia.