Kirsty Coventry coined as the new IOC President: Scripts History

Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, Kirsty Coventry, IOC, Sebastian Coe

March 21, 2025

0 likes

Kirsty Coventry Coined as the new IOC President: Scripts History

International Olympic Committee, (IOC) which is the apex body for organizing the biggest and largest competitive sport events across the world has just elected its new president. For the first time in history, Kirsty Coventry, a 41-year-old woman hailing from Zimbabwe has been voted as the body’s President, who will take charge from June 23.

As part of her big plans ahead, Coventry wants to sit down with the United States President Donald Trump to make sure the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics are successful, as per her first announcement post the appointment.

President Trump is a huge supporter of sport. There’s never been a sitting president that has attended the Super Bowl,” Coventry told Reuters in an interview following her election victory on Thursday.

As Zimbabwe’s sports minister as well as Africa’s most decorated Olympian, she seems quite confident and excited to take on the new role and put her best foot forward.

Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, Kirsty Coventry, IOC, Sebastian Coe

She won a historic election to become the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) first woman president, and the youngest in the 130-year existence of the world’s most powerful sporting organization. Her ascension to the post also makes her the first African to be elected at this designation.

“This is an extraordinary moment. As a nine-year-old girl I never thought I’d be standing up here one day, getting to give back to this incredible movement of ours,” a joyful Coventry said in her acceptance speech, after the outgoing president Thomas Bach held up a paper with her name.

“I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model,” she said.

Coventry has been part of IOC since 2013. Interestingly, she swept to victory with just one round of voting, as she earned an absolute majority at the 144th IOC Session in Greece.

Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, Kirsty Coventry, IOC, Sebastian Coe

Coventry polled a total of 49 votes out of the 97, and convincingly beating Spanish IOC vice-president Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr and World Athletics president, Sebastian Coe, who were the other strong contenders. Kirsty was the most decorated Olympian among all the other candidates eyeing for IOC Presidential post as she has won 2 gold and 2 silver medals as a swimmer.

My Perspective:

Kirsty has managed to script history as the 10th IOC president, with an eight-year term that will go on till 2033. Coventry’s first major assignment will be the 2026 Winter Olympics that will take place in Italy.

As a former Olympic champion, Kirsty is the most decorated Olympian from the African region. For someone who has been a celebrated athlete herself, and a pioneer of women participation in global sporting events, this presidentship will serve as the perfect opportunity to bring emerging stars from the African sub-continent into limelight.

Additionally, she will bring fresh perspective and ideas on the execution plans lined ahead to prove her mettle as a dynamic and strong leader, deserving of the post.