Costa Navarino, Greece | Kirsty Coventry made history on Thursday, becoming the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the first woman and African to hold the prestigious role.
“This is an extraordinary moment,” Coventry said after her election, during the 144th IOC Session.
“As a nine-year-old girl, I never imagined I would be standing here today, getting to give back to this incredible movement. This is not just a huge honor but a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you. I will lead this organization with pride and uphold the Olympic values at its core, and I will make all of you very, very proud and hopefully extremely confident in the decision that you’ve made today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And now we’ve got some work to do (sic),” she added.
Coventry expressed both gratitude and optimism after her historic election victory.
“I would like to sincerely thank all of my fellow candidates,” she continued. “This race was incredible, and it made us stronger. I know from all the conversations I’ve had with each of you how much stronger our movement will be when we come together and deliver on the ideas we all shared. Thank you for this moment, and thank you for this honor.”
At 41, Coventry becomes the youngest president in IOC history. Her victory came in the first round, where she secured 49 votes, outpacing her competitors, including Juan Antonio Samaranch (28 votes) and Lord Sebastian Coe (8 votes).
Coventry’s journey from a young swimmer in Zimbabwe to Olympic champion is legendary. With seven Olympic medals—two gold, four silver, and one bronze—she became a symbol of national pride and a role model for African athletes. Despite financial struggles, her perseverance led to scholarships and sponsorships that helped her achieve Olympic success.
After retiring from swimming, Coventry transitioned into sports administration and currently serves as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation. Her work has included advocating for gender equality and improved financial support for athletes, particularly before and after the Olympic Games.
Her election came after she endured a barrage of negative publicity targeting her image, but the electorate saw through the noise and chose her as president.
As IOC president, Coventry has previously vowed to prioritize athletes’ well-being and ensure that the Olympic Movement remains inclusive and committed to its core values. She also plans to tackle challenges faced by athletes from conflict zones, emphasizing the importance of their participation regardless of political tensions.
Her election marks a new chapter for the IOC, one defined by Coventry’s vision to break barriers and inspire future generations.
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