LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Kirsty Coventry believes her ability to juggle multiple roles—mother, sports minister, and athlete advocate—positions her as a strong contender for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidency.
As Zimbabwe’s sports minister for the past seven years, Coventry has tackled budget constraints, high expectations, and leadership responsibilities as Chairperson of the IOC Athletes’ Commission. She argues that these experiences have prepared her to meet global demands as the next IOC president.
Coventry is among seven candidates competing for the position at the 144th IOC Session in Greece, set for March 18-21, 2025.
In an interview with AIPS, the seven-time Olympic medalist outlined her priorities, including gender equality, transgender inclusion, and athlete support. She also addressed sports corruption, media relations, and conflict resolution, presenting a clear vision for the future of the Olympic Movement.
Balancing family and career has been a core part of Coventry’s journey. As a mother of two, she has led Zimbabwe’s sports ministry, managed her foundation, and served on the IOC Athletes’ Commission while raising her daughters.
“When I had my first baby, who turns six in May, I was leading the Athletes’ Commission, appointed minister, and running my foundation,” she shared. “By the time she was one, she had been to 10 different countries. My youngest, Lily, has already visited five. It’s part of our life, and it proves that women can lead while being full-time mothers.”
A strong advocate for women in leadership, Coventry insists that women are ready to take charge. While the IOC has improved female representation to 42%, she believes more progress is needed within International Federations and National Olympic Committees.
“Women are ready to lead,” she affirmed. “I see this as an opportunity to break barriers so that when my daughters grow up, they don’t face the same challenges.”
On transgender inclusion, Coventry called for a unified approach involving International Federations and medical experts to ensure fairness while respecting individual rights.
“We need to take leadership in this issue,” she stated. “Each sport has unique challenges, but our priority must be to protect the female category while maintaining inclusivity.”
Regarding athlete funding, Coventry favors direct support over prize money, arguing that financial assistance should focus on helping athletes before and after the Olympics rather than just rewarding performance.
“My toughest time as an athlete was the journey to becoming an Olympian,” she reflected. “We should prioritize long-term athlete support and career sustainability.”
As global conflicts affect sports participation, Coventry stressed the IOC’s responsibility to ensure all regions have representation. She also emphasized her commitment to combating corruption and match-fixing, citing her work with Interpol and legislative reforms in Zimbabwe.
On media relations, Coventry called for increased transparency and collaboration, urging the IOC to build stronger trust with journalists.
The IOC presidential election will take place at the 144th IOC Session in Greece, with candidates having already presented their visions in a closed-door meeting in Lausanne on January 30, 2025.
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