The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has elected its first-ever female and African president, Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe.
Coventry became the 10th President of the IOC after one round of voting at the 144th IOC Session in Greece earlier this week. She received 49 out of a possible 97 votes, chosen over fellow candidates such as HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Lord Sebastian Coe and Morinari Watanabe.
Following the vote, she said: “I am incredibly honoured and excited to be elected as President of the IOC! I want to sincerely thank my fellow members for their trust and support.
“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamt of this moment.”
Coventry now steps into one of the most influential roles in global sport, where she will lead the strategic direction of the Olympic movement. Her responsibilities include working closely with host cities to ensure successful delivery, building strong relationships with Olympic federations and overseeing the distribution of funds from key revenue sources like broadcasting and sponsorships.
“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. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model,” Coventry stated.
“Sport has an unmatched power to unite, inspire and create opportunities for all, and I am committed to making sure we harness that power to its fullest.”
Coventry’s immediate focus will now turn to the next Olympic Games, set to take place in Los Angeles in 2028. While every edition of the Games presents its own unique challenges, LA may prove to be an especially high-stakes starting point for her tenure.
The aftermath of the Paris 2024 Games still lingers, having been marked by controversy around ongoing debates over high-testosterone women competing in female categories. Nevertheless, Coventry has made it clear she’s ready to tackle the issues head-on and is eager to get to work.
She concluded: “Together with the entire Olympic family, including our athletes, fans and sponsors, we will build on our strong foundations, embrace innovation, and champion the values of friendship, excellence and respect. The future of the Olympic Movement is bright, and I can’t wait to get started!”
