Coventry becomes first female IOC President

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has elected Kirsty Coventry as its first-ever female and African president.

After months of intense campaigning and global outreach, Coventry’s message of unity, transparency, and athlete-focused reforms struck a chord with IOC voters. Her election didn’t just serve as a symbol—it marked a major shift in the movement.

“This is an extraordinary moment. As a nine-year-old girl, I never thought I would be standing up here one day getting to give back to this incredible movement of ours,” Coventry said after her election. She was a standout athlete for Zimbabwe prior to joining the IOC, helping the nation capture seven of its eight Olympic medals to date.

Who is Kirsty Coventry?

Kirsty Coventry is a well-known figure in international sports and a retired swimmer from Zimbabwe. People consider her one of the best athletes in Africa, and she was born on September 16, 1983. She has won seven Olympic medals, including two golds, over his stellar career.

She is the Zimbabwean who has earned the most Olympic medals. She won multiple medals in the World Championship in addition to her Olympic achievements. Throughout her swimming career, Coventry also set a number of world records.

In addition to her sporting accomplishments, Coventry has pushed for the growth of sports, especially in Africa. Following her retirement from competition swimming, she moved into positions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), where she joined and worked on a number of athlete and governance-related projects.

In 2025, she made history when the IOC chose her as its first female and African president. Her election is a testament to her commitment to advancing harmony, openness, and changes that prioritize the welfare of athletes.

Coventry’s historic election victory

Voters in Greece voiced dissatisfaction with the electronic voting systems during Thursday’s first round of voting, which did not go well. IOC director general Christophe De Kepper, who was in charge of the procedure, once made the amusing remark that one of the members was “testing his patience” with his grievances.

After the first round, the voting abruptly closed, surprising everyone, with a winner already surpassing the required 50% plus 1 vote majority. After a half-hour pause, the IOC introduced Coventry as Bach’s successor and the IOC’s tenth president. Coventry won 49 of the 97 votes, while Juan Antonio Samaranch, the runner-up, received 28.

“This is not just a huge honor, but it’s also a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you that I will lead this organization with so much pride with the values at the core, and I will make all of you very, very proud and extremely confident in the decision that you’ve taken today,” Coventry said.

With the Opening Ceremony less than 11 months away, Coventry’s first major event to oversee will be the Milan-Cortina Winter Games in Italy the following year.

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