Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the first female and African president of the IOC, winning majority votes against several candidates including Lord Coe. Set to take office on June 23, she will be the youngest president in IOC history and aims to enhance diversity within the organization. Coveting her inspirational journey from Zimbabwe, she acknowledges the groundbreaking significance of her role.
Kirsty Coventry has made history by being elected as the first female and African president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), surpassing six male contenders, including Britain’s Lord Coe. The 41-year-old former swimmer, who is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, received 49 out of 97 possible votes during the initial election round held on Thursday, while Lord Coe secured only eight votes.
As Zimbabwe’s sports minister, Coventry will succeed Thomas Bach, who has held the position since 2013. Her inauguration as president is set for June 23, making her the youngest to assume this role in the IOC’s 130-year existence. Coventry’s inaugural event will be the Milan-Cortina Winter Games in February 2026.
Coventry expressed that her election conveys a significant message about the IOC’s commitment to diversity and global representation. “It’s a really powerful signal. It’s a signal that we’re truly global and that we have evolved into an organisation that is truly open to diversity and we’re going to continue walking that road in the next eight years,” she emphasized.
The runner-up in the election was Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., who received 28 votes, whereas France’s David Lappartient and Japan’s Morinari Watanabe garnered four votes each. Joseph Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and Sweden’s Johan Eliasch both secured two votes.
Coventry has made significant contributions to Zimbabwe’s Olympic achievements, having won seven of the nation’s eight Olympic medals herself, including gold in the 200m backstroke at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. Reflecting on her journey, she remarked, “The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamed of this moment. I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC president, and also the first from Africa.”
In conclusion, Kirsty Coventry’s election as the first female and African president of the IOC marks a transformative moment for the organization, emphasizing its commitment to diversity. Her background as a successful athlete and current sports minister aligns with her vision to promote inclusivity within the global sports community. As she prepares for her upcoming tenure, Coventry’s leadership embodies hope and representation for future generations of athletes.
Original Source: www.thisdaylive.com
