Kirsty Coventry has been elected the first female and African president of the IOC, winning 49 out of 97 votes. She will succeed Thomas Bach on June 23 and will be the youngest president in the IOC’s history. Coventry previously won two Olympic gold medals and is a symbol of diversity in sports leadership.
Kirsty Coventry has made history by becoming the first female and African president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The 41-year-old Olympic champion secured a remarkable 49 out of 97 votes during her election, surpassing six male candidates, including Lord Sebastian Coe from Britain. Her election is set to send a “powerful signal” regarding diversity within the organization.
Coventry, who will assume office on June 23, is also notable for being the youngest president in the IOC’s 130-year history. She will commence her duties ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games scheduled for February 2026.
In the election results, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. received 28 votes, while both David Lappartient from France and Morinari Watanabe of Japan garnered four votes each. The other candidates, Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and Johan Eliasch of Sweden, secured two votes respectively.
Having already served on the IOC executive board, Coventry is viewed as a champion of progressive change and is succeeding Thomas Bach, who held the position since 2013. She is known for her outstanding contributions to Zimbabwean sport, having won seven of the nation’s eight Olympic medals, including two gold medals in the 200m backstroke at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
Reflecting on her election, Coventry expressed immense pride in her achievements, stating, “The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamed of this moment. I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC president, and also the first from Africa.”
Kirsty Coventry’s election as the first female and African president of the IOC is a groundbreaking achievement that underscores the importance of diversity and inclusivity in sporting bodies. Her leadership is positioned to herald significant changes within the organization, with Coventry’s first major event being the upcoming Winter Games. This moment marks a pivotal shift in the IOC’s history and sets a precedent for future advancements in representation at the highest levels of sport.
Original Source: www.thisdaylive.com
