Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry becomes first female IOC president

Kirsten Coventry, a former Zimbabwean swimmer, has made history as the first-ever female president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 

Coventry was announced president after the first round of voting at the organisation’s 144th session, which took place on Thursday in Costa Navarino, Greece.

She became the 10th IOC president and replaced Thomas Bach, who had been in charge of affairs for 12 years.

The Zimbabwean made further history by becoming the first-ever African to attain the position.

Coventry will take over office on June 24 and serve a term of eight years.

She polled 49 votes, the number required to claim majority votes and seal the electoral victory.

The 41-year-old defeated a strong field that included David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Morinari Watanabe, Sebastian Coe, and Feisal Al Hussein, the prince of Jordan.

In her acceptance speech, Coventry thanked her colleagues for helping her make history by electing her to a post she never dreamt of.

She expressed her eagerness to start in her new role and committed to fully harnessing sports’ uniting power.

“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamt of this moment,” the Zimbabwean said.

“I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC President, and also the first from Africa. 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.”

Coventry participated in five Olympics, won seven medals in swimming — two golds, four silver and one bronze — and is the most decorated Olympian from Africa.

She entered the IOC in 2013 and is on more than ten committees in the organisation.