Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry has broken new ground in the world of sports, becoming the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Her historic election is the first time a woman and an African have held the top position in the IOC’s history.
On Thursday, the IOC announced that Coventry secured the presidency after a secret ballot at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, beating out a field of seven candidates.
Coventry’s term is set to last for eight years, with the possibility of a four-year extension, meaning she could serve as president for up to 12 years.
She is scheduled to officially take office on June 23, Olympic Day, succeeding current president Thomas Bach.
Coventry brings a wealth of athletic experience to the role. She’s a two-time Olympic gold medalist, earning gold at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Games. Her Olympic career boasts seven medals (2 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze). Coventry was elected to the IOC Athletes’ Commission during the 2012 London Olympics and joined the IOC Executive Board in 2023.
Coventry expressed gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility in her acceptance speech. She mentioned that she never imagined she’d have the chance to give back to the Olympic movement meaningfully, emphasizing that it wasn’t just an honor but a responsibility to everyone who trusted her.
She also promised to lead the organization proudly, staying true to the International Olympic Committee’s core values. Coventry is committed to doing everything she can to ensure that stakeholders feel proud of the decision to elect her.
Coventry’s first Olympic Games as IOC President will be the 2026 Winter Olympics, set to take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
In addition, the selection of the host city for the 2036 Summer Olympics, with South Korea’s Jeonbuk submitting a bid, is expected to be decided by a vote at an IOC session under Coventry’s leadership.
Her election not only underscores the growing role of female leadership in sports but also has the potential to impact the development of athletics across the African continent positively.
The sports world will watch closely how the IOC evolves and progresses under Coventry’s leadership.
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