Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the president of the International Olympic Committee, becoming the first woman and first African to hold the position. She emphasized her commitment to the organization and the development of athletes, succeeding Thomas Bach on June 23. Coventry’s leadership will span significant upcoming Olympic events.
Kirsty Coventry, a seven-time Olympic medallist from Zimbabwe, was elected as the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday. The 41-year-old will officially take on the role on June 23, succeeding Thomas Bach. This remarkable election marks her as the first woman and the first African to hold this prestigious position in the IOC’s 131-year history.
In her inaugural address, Coventry emphasized the honor of her new role, stating her commitment to lead the organization with pride. “This is not just a huge honour, but it is a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you that I will lead this organisation with so much pride,” Coventry expressed. She expressed gratitude and underscored her intention to make all stakeholders proud and confident in their decision.
Coventry, who earned two gold medals while swimming for Zimbabwe between 2000 and 2016, triumphed over six competing candidates to secure her position. Notable contenders included David Lappartient from France, Olympian Sebastian Coe, and several other prominent figures in the sports administration world.
Reflecting on the election process, Coventry remarked, “This race was an incredible race,” acknowledging the challenges faced which strengthened the movement overall. Additionally, former president Thomas Bach offered to provide support to Coventry, stating, “If the new president would like to have some advice or support they can call me in the middle of the night.”
Coventry will serve an eight-year term, during which she will oversee significant Olympic events, including the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles and the 2032 Games in Brisbane, along with the upcoming Winter Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo. In an interview before her election, she emphasized her goal of supporting aspiring athletes, saying, “I believe we should be focusing a little bit more with dedicated programmes to help support directly athletes on their journey to becoming an Olympian.”
Kirsty Coventry’s election as the IOC’s president marks a historic moment as she becomes the first female and African leader of the organization. Her commitment to athlete development and collaboration, aided by insights from her predecessor Thomas Bach, positions her as a pivotal figure in advancing the Olympic movement. As she embarks on this significant journey, her focus on support programs for emerging athletes underscores her dedication to the next generation of Olympians.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
