Kit McConnell

In his role of IOC Sports Director, Kit McConnell is leading all relations with International Federations for the Olympic Games, partnership with OCOG Sports Departments, organization and planning of sports and venues of the Olympic Games.

Kit has also been closely involved in the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020 and more recently Olympic Agenda 2020+5, while also now has the direct reporting lines of not only the IOC Sports Department but the Athletes Department and the Medical and Scientific Department, along with being the organizational lead on other key strategic projects such as the Esports.

Previously he has been a member of the Sydney 2000 Organising Committee Sports Department in 1998-1999, worked at the IOC in 1996-1997 and again from 2000 to 2002, and from 2002 to 2013 was the Rugby World Cup Tournament Director for World Rugby. The latter role included the planning and delivery of the Rugby World Cups in Australia 2003, France 2007 and New Zealand 2011, and the selection and advanced planning for England 2015 and initial planning for Japan 2019.

A native New Zealander, through this extensive experience in the Olympic Movement and delivery of Olympic Games and other major events, Kit has built expertise in balancing event delivery at major events with strategic planning and solutions. It has also given him 25 years’ experience in managing major event delivery, International Federation relations and development, and strategic planning development and delivery.