SportsPosted at: Nov 14 2026 12:05AM


IOC president Coventry takes first windsurfing lesson from Olympic champions in Dakar

Dakar, Nov 13 (UNI) International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry took her first windsurfing lesson at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, receiving guidance from three Olympic champions at Saly Beach West on Senegal's Atlantic coast.

The seven-time Olympic swimming medalist tried the sport under the guidance of New Zealand's Barbara Kendall, Italy's Alessandra Sensini and France's Charline Picon. Kendall won windsurfing gold at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics, Sensini triumphed at Sydney 2000, while Picon claimed the title at Rio 2016.

Sensini praised Coventry's enthusiasm in a social media post, describing the lesson as a special opportunity to introduce the IOC president to the sport.
"Kirsty is a true athlete, always ready to embrace a new challenge with enthusiasm and determination!" she wrote.
World Sailing shared footage of the lesson on Thursday, showing Coventry trying to balance on the board and navigate the water with help from the three champions.
"There were a few falls along the way but full marks for enthusiasm!" the international governing body said on social media.
Coventry also joined World Sailing President Li Quanhai on the water to watch the competition before taking part in a swimming race against her instructors back to shore.
Windsurfing has featured at the Youth Olympic Games since the inaugural edition in Singapore in 2010. At Dakar 2026, athletes are competing on Techno 293 boards, rather than the hydrofoiling iQFOiL equipment used at the senior Olympic Games, according to Xinhua.
The iQFOiL class made its Olympic debut at Paris 2024 and will return at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
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