The former Olympic swimmer will take over from the previous President Thomas Bach, as the tenth leader in the sporting body’s 131-year history. Kirsty Coventry elected as first woman to lead the International Olympics Committee.Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the new President of the International Olympic Committee
Her historic election will make her the IOC’s first female and first African President since its creation.
This election had been viewed as one of the most open in decades with several names being seen as strong contenders, including Sebastian Coe.
Voters comprised of invited IOC members, including royals, Olympic athletes and even Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh who became an IOC member in 2023.
The Zimbabwean saw off several strong contenders including the current IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch – whose father was the body’s seventh president, and Britain’s Sebastian Coe – a fellow gold medalist who represented the UK in several middle-distance events and who oversaw London’s successful 2012 Olympic bid.
Kirsty Coventry is Africa’s most decorated Olympian, representing Zimbabwe in multiple swimming events.
Since retiring from sport in 2016, Coventry’s been serving as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.
