Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the first female and African IOC president, beating six male candidates. She garnered 49 votes and will begin her term on June 23. Coventry aims to promote diversity during her eight-year term and brings her significant achievements as a swimmer to the role.
Kirsty Coventry has made history by being elected as the first female and first African president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In an election on Thursday, she outperformed six male candidates, including Lord Sebastian Coe from Britain, securing 49 out of 97 votes in the first round. Coventry, a 41-year-old former swimmer with two Olympic gold medals, will take over from Thomas Bach on June 23, making her the youngest president in the IOC’s 130-year history.
Coventry’s first official engagement will be at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games in February 2026. Following the election, she expressed, “It’s a really powerful signal. It’s a signal that we’re truly global and that we have evolved into an organisation that is truly open to diversity,” underscoring her commitment to promoting inclusivity over the next eight years.
In the election, runner-up Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. received 28 votes, while David Lappartient of France and Morinari Watanabe of Japan each garnered four votes. Additionally, Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and Johan Eliasch of Sweden received two votes each. Coventry, previously a member of the IOC executive board and reportedly Thomas Bach’s preferred candidate, will serve for a minimum of eight years as the 10th person to occupy this prestigious position.
Coventry has been pivotal for Zimbabwe, having won seven out of the country’s eight Olympic medals, including her golds in the 200m backstroke during the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games. Reflecting on her journey, she stated, “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 marks a significant milestone in the organization’s history. Her vision for inclusivity and diversity is a promising development for the future of global sports governance. Coventry’s achievements as a world-renowned swimmer enhance her role as the youngest president in IOC history, setting a powerful example for future generations.
Original Source: www.thisdaylive.com
