Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the new President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), making history as both the first woman and the first African to hold the prestigious position.
Coventry secured the presidency ahead of fellow candidates HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Lord Sebastian Coe, and Morinari Watanabe.
Expressing her gratitude, Coventry said, “I am incredibly honored and excited to be elected as President of the International Olympic Committee. The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe could never have dreamed of this moment.”
She emphasized the significance of her election, stating, “Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I fully understand my responsibilities as a role model. Sport has the power to unite, inspire, and create opportunities for all, and I am committed to ensuring we maximize that potential.”
Outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach congratulated Coventry, saying, “I warmly welcome the decision of the IOC Members and look forward to strong cooperation during the transition period. The future of the Olympic Movement is bright.”
Coventry will serve an eight-year term, leading the IOC’s mission of promoting global sports development. The IOC, a not-for-profit international organization, reinvests over 90% of its income into supporting athletes and sports initiatives worldwide, distributing the equivalent of USD 4.7 million daily.
