March 20, (THEWILL) – Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe’s most decorated Olympian, has been elected the first woman president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the 144th IOC Session in Greece. The 41-year-old former swimmer received 49 votes, defeating Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, who garnered 28 votes and Lord Sebastian Coe, who finished third with eight votes.
“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamt of this moment”, Coventry stated following her historic election. “I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC President, and also the first from Africa. I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people.”
Coventry, who has served as Zimbabwe’s minister of sport since 2018, will begin her eight-year term as the 10th IOC president when she succeeds Thomas Bach after he completes his maximum 12-year tenure in June. Her presidency comes at a significant time for the Olympic movement, with the 2028 Summer Games scheduled in Los Angeles during Donald Trump’s presidential term.
The five-time Olympian brings an impressive athletic background to the role, having won seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals, including two golds, four silvers, and a bronze medal across the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Games. Coventry has emphasised the importance of communication with political leaders and maintaining Olympic values during her upcoming presidency.
On gender eligibility matters that drew attention during recent Olympic competitions, Coventry suggested the IOC should take a leading role: “I think the IOC should bring everyone into a room and hash it out. The overarching principle must be to protect the female category.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
