Russia hoped for a return from sporting exile on Thursday, believing the historic election of Kirsty Coventry as International Olympic Committee president will lead to a “stronger, more independent Olympic movement”.

“We look forward to a stronger, more independent, and more prosperous Olympic movement under a new leader, and to Russia returning to the Olympic podium,” Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyaryov, who is also head of the Russian Olympic committee, wrote on his Telegram account.

One of the major problems Coventry will face will be the return to the Olympic fold of exiled Russia.

In Paris last year their athletes were forced to compete under a neutral banner, owing to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

“On behalf of the Russian Olympic Committee, I congratulate Kirsty Coventry on her election as President of the International Olympic Committee!,” added Degtyaryov.

“Her brilliant sporting career, Olympic victories, records, and contribution to the development of sport have made her one of the favourites in this campaign.”

Russia dogged outgoing IOC president Thomas Bach’s tenure first with the doping scandal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games and then Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.