China Media Group (CMG) President Shen Haixiong held talks with Thomas Bach, honorary president for life of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the newly elected IOC President Kirsty Coventry in Lausanne, Switzerland on Monday.
Both sides reached consensus on further strengthening comprehensive strategic cooperation and advancing innovative approaches to event broadcasting.
Congratulating Bach on being appointed as the honorary president for life of the IOC and Coventry on assuming the role of the new IOC president, Shen said CMG has achieved remarkable outcomes in cooperation with the IOC.
Shen lauded IOC not only as a close partner and a long-time friend, but also as a great collaborator in CMG’s innovative development. He said in recent years, with Bach’s support, CMG and the IOC have achieved significant success in areas such as copyright agreements, event broadcasting, signal production and cultural exchange, continuously deepening their partnership.
Noting that CMG has officially become a rights-holding broadcaster of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, Shen said CMG, as the only media organization worldwide involved in producing the 8K broadcast signals for the 2026 Winter Olympics, looks forward to continuing close cooperation with the IOC under the leadership of Coventry, strengthening CMG’s role as a benchmark in international sports event signal production and delivering an exceptional ice and snow audiovisual experience to global audiences.
Shen further remarked that CMG is willing to work with the IOC to explore the application of AI technology in sports communication, the development of the e-sports industry and other areas, aiming to jointly promote the Olympic spirit and deepen its influence on the public, based on mutual trust and win-win cooperation.
Bach expressed his gratitude for CMG’s long-term support for the Olympic Movement and its outstanding contributions. Bach added that as a close and valuable partner, the IOC has witnessed CMG’s leaps in sports communication, cultural exchange and international influence.
Bach noted that CMG continues to innovate and produce spectacular sports broadcasts and cultural programs, leading global audiences to immerse in the vibrant world of sports and culture. He said he looks forward to deepening future cooperation with CMG, jointly promoting the popularity of the Olympic Movement and culture, and contributing to the building of a more united world.
Coventry expressed her delight that over 100 million viewers in China watched the warm and moving handover ceremony of her assuming the IOC presidency, as broadcast live by CMG.
Coventry said the IOC has always regarded CMG as a key partner and the fruitful outcomes of their collaboration will continue to drive the development of the Olympic Movement.
She looks forward to continuing and expanding the deep friendship and tacit understanding between CMG and the IOC, deepening cooperation based on mutual benefit, building consensus in areas like digitalization, technological innovation and sustainable development, promoting the widespread dissemination of Olympic values, and advancing the Olympic Movement toward deeper and higher-quality development.
After the meeting, Coventry gave an exclusive interview to CMG’s “Leaders Talk” program, marking her first media interview since assuming office as the IOC president.
