Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the first female president of the International Olympic Committee, making her the 10th president in the organization’s history. With a majority of votes, she will serve an eight-year term starting June 24, 2025, and is the first person from Africa to hold this position. Coventry celebrated this achievement, emphasizing her aim to contribute positively to the Olympic Movement.
Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe has made history by being elected as the first female president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the organization’s 10th president overall since its foundation in 1894. The decision was made during a vote held on Thursday, where Coventry, a seven-time Olympic medalist in swimming, secured an eight-year term, which may be extended for an additional four years. Coventry is also set to become the first individual from Africa to hold this prestigious role, which has previously been occupied solely by men from Europe and the United States.
Upon her election, Coventry expressed her gratitude, stating, “This is an extraordinary moment. As a 9-year-old girl, I never thought that I’d be standing up here one day getting to give back to this incredible movement of ours.” At the age of 41, she becomes the second-youngest president in IOC history, following Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, who began his term at 33.
The vote took place at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, situated approximately 60 miles south of Olympia. Coventry achieved a decisive victory by garnering 49 out of 97 votes in the first round, ahead of her nearest competitor, Juan Antonio Samaranch of Spain, who received 28 votes. Had Coventry not attained a majority, a second round of voting would have been necessary.
Coventry succeeds Thomas Bach, who held the presidency for 12 years and steered the IOC through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following his tenure, Bach was honored with the title of IOC Honorary President for Life. In his farewell address, he reflected on his time as president, emphasizing his appreciation for being able to contribute to the Olympic Movement.
During Coventry’s term, the Olympic Games will be hosted in Milan Cortina, Italy (2026), Los Angeles, California (2028), the French Alps (2030), and Brisbane, Australia (2032). Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, Coventry made her Olympic debut in 2000 at 17 and extended her career to five Olympic Games, earning medals in both the 200m backstroke events in 2004 and 2008.
Since joining the IOC in 2013 as a member of the athletes’ commission, Coventry has transitioned from an athlete to a key organizational figure. Following her retirement from competition in 2016, she now stands as the first Olympic swimmer to assume the presidency of the IOC. Coventry concluded her acceptance speech with the words, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and now we’ve got some work together.”
Kirsty Coventry’s election as the first female president of the IOC marks a significant milestone in Olympic history, showcasing progress towards gender equality in leadership roles. As the first president from Africa and the second-youngest ever elected, her term is set to lead the IOC through upcoming Olympic events across the globe. Coventry brings a wealth of experience as an accomplished athlete and a dedicated IOC member, promising to advance the Olympic Movement.
Original Source: www.nbcsports.com
