Zimbabwean swimming legend Kirsty Coventry made history on Thursday, March 20, becoming the first woman and the first African to be elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in its 130-year existence.
An IOC member since 2013 and Zimbabwe's Minister of Sports since 2018, Coventry secured victory in the first round of voting during the IOC's 144th session held in Costa Navarino, Greece.
Among the seven candidates vying to succeed German Thomas Bach, she won an absolute majority, receiving 49 out of 97 votes cast by IOC members.
“The young girl who started swimming in Zimbabwe so many years ago could never have dreamed of this moment,” she said shortly after her victory was announced.
“I am especially proud to be the first woman president of the IOC, as well as the first from Africa. I hope this election will serve as an inspiration for many people. Today, a glass ceiling has been broken, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model,” Coventry emphasized.
Her predecessor praised her election and extended his congratulations to the Zimbabwean: “Congratulations to Kirsty Coventry on her election as the tenth president of the IOC. I warmly welcome the decision of the IOC members […]. There is no doubt that the future of our Olympic Movement is bright and that the values we uphold will continue to guide us in the years ahead.”
The six other candidates included H.R.H. Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, Frenchman David Lappartient, British-Swedish Johan Eliasch, Spaniard Juan Antonio Samaranch, Briton Sebastian Coe, and Japanese Morinari Watanabe.
At 41 years old, Coventry will officially assume office in Lausanne on June 23, 2025. The term for an IOC president is eight years, with the possibility of re-election for an additional four-year term.
