In a significant moment for the sport of padel, International Padel Federation (FIP) President Luigi Carraro met with incoming International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry in Rome. The meeting highlighted the growing momentum behind padel’s international expansion and its aspirations for Olympic inclusion.
During their exchange, Carraro presented Coventry with a special edition of the BNL Italy Major, one of the premier events on the global padel calendar. The gesture symbolized the sport’s rising profile and its alignment with the Olympic movement’s values of innovation, inclusivity, and global reach.
Coventry, who will officially assume her role as IOC President on Olympic Day, June 23, brings a historic perspective as the first African and first woman to lead the organization. Her meeting with Carraro reflects a shared vision for expanding the Olympic family to embrace emerging sports like padel, which has seen exponential growth in participation and visibility worldwide.
The encounter in Rome underscores FIP’s strategic efforts to position padel on the world stage and deepen its ties with the Olympic community. As the sport continues to gain traction, collaborations like this one may pave the way for its future inclusion in multi-sport events and, potentially, the Olympic Games.
