On Thursday, Kirsty Coventry, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and Zimbabwe’s present minister of sports grew to become the primary girl and the primary African to be elected president of the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC).
Her decisive victory securing 49 of the 97 accessible votes within the first spherical—marked a historic shift for an establishment that has, for a lot of its 131-year historical past, been led by European males.
The election, held in Costa Navarino, Greece, noticed Coventry overcome six different candidates, together with IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch, who completed second with 28 votes.
“It’s a sign that we’re really world,” Coventry, 41, mentioned in her acceptance speech. “The Olympic motion belongs to everybody, and I’m honored to guide it into the longer term.”
Coventry, who will serve an eight-year time period, succeeds Thomas Bach, the German lawyer and former Olympic fencer who has led the IOC since 2013. She is going to formally take workplace on June 23 Olympic Day ushering in a brand new period for the group.
Some context on her athletic profession
Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, Coventry rose to prominence as one among Africa’s most profitable Olympians. She attended Auburn College in Alabama, the place she competed for the varsity’s swim staff, serving to the Tigers safe a number of NCAA Championships.
- Her breakthrough on the worldwide stage got here on the 2004 Athens Olympics, the place she received three medals, together with gold within the 200-meter backstroke. She repeated her triumph in Beijing 4 years later, cementing her standing as Africa’s most adorned Olympian. Over the course of her profession, she received seven Olympic medals, held a number of world information, and earned the nickname “Zimbabwe’s Golden Lady.”
- Her achievements made her a nationwide hero. In 2008, then-President Robert Mugabe awarded her $100,000 in recognition of her Olympic success. Somewhat than preserve the cash, Coventry donated it to charity.
After competing in 5 Olympic Video games, she retired from skilled swimming in 2016.
A profession leap from athlete to administrator
Even earlier than retiring, Coventry had begun transitioning into sports administration. She was elected to the IOC Athletes’ Fee in 2012 and later chaired the physique, which represents Olympians worldwide. In 2018, she joined Zimbabwe’s authorities as Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation, a job she has held since.
Throughout her tenure, she has been credited with revitalizing Zimbabwe’s sporting infrastructure, although she has additionally confronted criticism for failing to safe higher funding for athletes.
Her rise inside the IOC has been regular. In 2023, she joined the group’s government board, and when Bach’s time period neared its finish, she emerged as one of many main candidates to succeed him.
What to know
Coventry assumes management at a pivotal second for the Olympic motion. She is going to oversee preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Video games and lead the choice course of for the 2036 Summer time Olympics. She may even be tasked with making certain the {financial} stability of the IOC, notably as cities turn into extra reluctant to host the Video games resulting from their huge prices.
- Moreover, she is going to seemingly need to navigate advanced geopolitical challenges. When requested in regards to the prospect of assembly with world leaders, together with U.S. President Donald Trump, to debate the Los Angeles Video games, she mentioned:
“I’ve been coping with—let’s say—troublesome males in excessive positions since I used to be 20 years outdated. What I’ve discovered is that communication might be key.”
Her election can be a victory for gender equality inside the Olympic motion. Below Bach’s management, the IOC has made strides in growing feminine illustration, each in competitions and inside its management. Coventry’s presidency establishes that progress.
