From the Pool to the Presidency: Kirsty Coventry Makes History as First Woman and African Elected IOC President

IOC’s Historic Election

In a groundbreaking move, Kirsty Coventry was elected the 10th IOC President at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece. This announcement marks a significant turning point, as she steps into this prestigious role with a wealth of experience and a trailblazing spirit.

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The 41-year-old Zimbabwean sports icon secured her eight-year term in a secret ballot held on Thursday, March 20th. Coventry garnered 49 votes from the 97 IOC members, meeting the required majority in the first round of voting. She's set to officially take office on June 23rd, which is Olympic Day, following the handover from outgoing President Thomas Bach. Bach, who was initially elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2021, will resign as an IOC Member and assume the role of Honorary President after the transition.

Coventry, reflecting on this extraordinary achievement, shared her pride in her Zimbabwean heritage and her excitement for the future of Africa on Olympics.com. During her acceptance speech at the Session, she expressed feeling humbled and honored, and she committed to leading the organization with pride, upholding its core values. She also acknowledged the other candidates and expressed her desire to unite them to leverage their ideas and exchanges from the past six months.

As the President-elect, Coventry will be at the helm for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, which is coming up fast!

Bach expressed his confidence in Coventry, stating, "Congratulations to Kirsty Coventry on her election as the 10th IOC President. I warmly welcome the decision of the IOC Members and look forward to strong cooperation, particularly during the transition period. There is no doubt that the future for our Olympic Movement is bright and that the values we stand for will continue to guide us through the years to come."

Who is Kirsty Coventry?

Coventry's journey to the IOC presidency is as impressive as it is inspiring. She's not just an IOC member; she's also the Minister of Sport, Art & Recreation in Zimbabwe, a position she has held since 2018. Her leadership experience also includes serving as Vice President of the International Surfing Federation from 2017 to 2024.

Her involvement with the IOC began in 2013 when she was elected as a member of the IOC Athletes' Commission. She served in that capacity until 2021, when she was elected as an individual member. In 2018, she became Chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission, which also earned her a spot on the IOC Executive Board. From 2012 to 2021, Coventry was the IOC Athlete Representative on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and she also served on WADA's Athlete Committee from 2014 to 2021.

Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, Coventry's athletic prowess is legendary. She competed in five Olympic Games, from Sydney 2000 to Rio 2016, amassing an incredible seven Olympic medals. Her medal haul includes two gold medals (both in the 200m backstroke at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008), four silver medals, and one bronze medal. Notably, she is the most decorated African athlete in Olympic history.

Beyond the Olympics, Coventry has achieved remarkable success in other competitions. She has three long-course World Championship gold medals, four short-course titles, a Commonwealth Games gold medal, and a staggering 14 African Games gold medals.

Coventry sees her election as a major step forward for diversity within the IOC. "It's a really powerful signal," she said, "a signal that we're truly global and that we have evolved into an organisation that is truly open to diversity and how we're going to continue walking that road in the next eight years." She also expressed her desire to unite all the candidates, acknowledging the wealth of ideas and exchanges that took place during the election process.

A Legacy of Excellence

Kirsty Coventry's election as IOC President is more than just a personal triumph; it represents a significant moment for the Olympic Movement. Her extraordinary athletic career, combined with her experience in sports administration and government, positions her to lead the IOC into a new era. She takes over the reins from Thomas Bach, becoming the 10th IOC president in its 131-year history.

As the first woman and the first African to hold this position, Coventry embodies the Olympic values of diversity, inclusion, and excellence. Her leadership is expected to build upon the legacy of her predecessors while also charting a course for the future that embraces the evolving landscape of global sports.