Kirsty Coventry Makes History as First Female IOC President

Kirsty Coventry has been elected the first female and African president of the IOC, winning 49 out of 97 votes. She replaces Thomas Bach and will be the youngest president in IOC history. Coventry emphasizes the significance of this achievement for diversity in the organization.

Kirsty Coventry has achieved a historic milestone by being elected as the first female and first African president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), defeating six male candidates in the process. The 41-year-old, who has secured two Olympic gold medals, obtained a significant majority of 49 out of 97 votes during the first round of the election, while her closest rival, Lord Sebastian Coe, garnered only eight votes.

Coventry, currently Zimbabwe’s sports minister and an IOC executive board member, will assume the presidency on June 23, succeeding Thomas Bach, who held the position since 2013. This election makes her the youngest president in the IOC’s 130-year history, with her inaugural Olympic event scheduled for the Milan-Cortina Winter Games in February 2026.

Coventry expressed her ambition, stating, “It’s a really powerful signal. It’s a signal that we’re truly global and that we have evolved into an organisation that is truly open to diversity and we’re going to continue walking that road in the next eight years.” She emphasized the importance of diversity and global representation within the organization.

The final vote tally demonstrated a significant preference for Coventry, as runner-up Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr received 28 votes, while David Lappartient of France and Morinari Watanabe of Japan each earned four votes. Both Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and Johan Eliasch of Sweden received two votes.

Coventry’s remarkable achievements include winning seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals, highlighted by her gold victories in the 200m backstroke at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games. Reflecting on her journey, she remarked, “The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamed of this moment. I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC president, and also the first from Africa.”

Kirsty Coventry’s election as the first female and African president of the IOC represents a significant step towards diversity and global representation in the organization. Her leadership will not only reflect her achievements as an athlete but also inspire future generations. Coventry’s commitment to inclusivity is commendable, and her presidency marks a pivotal moment in IOC history as she prepares for her first Olympics in 2026.

Original Source: www.thisdaylive.com