Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), becoming the first woman and the first African to hold the position in the organization's 130-year history. This historic moment signifies a new chapter for the IOC, ushering in an era of fresh perspectives and leadership.
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03-26, 2025The Zimbabwean Minister of Sport, already influential within the Olympic movement, was successfully elected at the 144th IOC Session held in Costa Navarino, Greece, succeeding Thomas Bach. Coventry will become the 10th President of the IOC, serving an eight-year term that will commence in June. Her extensive experience in sports administration and her dedication to the Olympic ideals position her well for this role.
Coventry, 41, will also be the youngest president in the IOC's history. "This is a very strong signal," said Coventry, who has competed in five Olympic Games and won two gold medals. "It shows that we truly are global and that we have evolved into an organization that is truly open to diversity, and we will continue to be that way." Her youthful energy and commitment to inclusivity are expected to bring a dynamic approach to the IOC's leadership.
Coventry won the presidential election in just one round of voting, securing an absolute majority with 49 votes out of 97 in a secret ballot, successfully succeeding Bach. Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. of Spain came in second with 28 votes, while Sebastian Coe of Great Britain, who was considered a frontrunner, received 8 votes, ranking third. The remaining votes were cast for David Lappartient of France, Prince Feisal of Jordan, Johan Eliasch of Sweden, and Morinari Watanabe of Japan.
"This is not only a huge honor, but it is also a reminder of the commitment I have to each and every one of you, and I will lead this organization with great pride," Coventry said. "I am going to make you all very, very proud, and I hope you have confidence in the choice that you made today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." Her words reflected a sense of gratitude and a deep understanding of the responsibilities that come with the position.
Coventry stated that she plans to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to ensure the smooth execution of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. "When Los Angeles won the rights to host the Olympics [in 2017], he was the President," she said. "I truly believe that he wants the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics to be a huge success." "That will require sitting down and having a good conversation with him… sharing our values and what we want to achieve, how we want Los Angeles to be successful, and being clear on the different priorities within the IOC."
Coventry stated that she hopes the IOC will build on a foundation of unity. "I will be meeting with President Bach. We have a couple of months for a handover," she said. "What I want to focus on is bringing all the candidates together. We've had a lot of good ideas and conversations over the last six months. What do we want to focus on in the first six months? I have some ideas, but part of my campaign was about listening to the IOC members, hearing their ideas, and how we want to move forward together."
Coventry, a seven-time Olympic medalist, joined the IOC Athletes' Commission in 2012. She won consecutive gold medals in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Her election to the highest office marks a new era for the IOC, with expectations that she will bring fresh perspectives to pressing issues such as athlete rights, gender debates, and the sustainability of the Olympic Games.
As an advocate for sports development in Africa, Coventry has pledged to expand participation in the Olympics and ensure the Games remain appealing to younger generations. She also inherits the complex task of fostering relationships with global sports federations and sponsors, while maintaining the IOC's financial stability, which largely depends on its broadcasting and sponsorship agreements. Her focus on inclusivity and financial prudence will be crucial in navigating the challenges ahead.
