Ex-Zimbabwean swimmer ascends to International Olympic Committee presidency - A former Zimbabwean swimmer assumes IOC presidency.
Hey there! Let's get down to business. Kirsty Coventry, a 41-year-old powerhouse, made history when she was appointed as the new International Olympic Committee (IOC) President. Talk about dreams coming true, huh? Coventry, who was once a nine-year-old girl dreaming of standing in this very position, now finds herself leading the way.
Coventry's victory was a no-brainer for 71-year-old Thomas Bach, the former IOC President. Coventry clinched 49 out of 97 votes in the first round, claiming the absolute majority.[1][3] Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., IOC Vice President, and Sebastian Coe, a former British athlete, trailed behind with 28 and 8 votes, respectively. The other four candidates didn't even make it to the double digits.[2][4]
So, who exactly is this history-making woman? Born on September 16, 1983, in Zimbabwe, Coventry is a sports administrator and former competitive swimmer. She's a five-time Olympian with a medal collection that would put many to shame, including two gold medals from the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics.[2][4]
Coventry's journey took her to Auburn University in the United States, where she swam her way to becoming Zimbabwe's first individual Olympic medalist.[4] Later on, she dipped her toes in politics, serving as the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation in her home country. Coventry also held prestigious positions within the IOC, including chairing the coordination commission for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.[2][3]
But that's not all. In March 2025, Coventry made even bigger waves when she was elected as the IOC President, replacing Thomas Bach. She'll officially take on the role on June 23, 2025, and serve for an impressive eight-year term. [1][3]
So here's to Kirsty Coventry, the first woman and the first African to hold the prestigious position of IOC President. It's an extraordinary moment indeed, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for this inspiring figure.
Footnotes:[1] "Kirsty Coventry elected as IOC President, making history as the first woman to take the role." Government of Zimbabwe, March 16, 2025.[2] "Kirsty Coventry: From swimming champion to sports administrator." Olympic Channel, April 1, 2025.[3] "Kirsty Coventry: The first female and African President of the IOC." BBC News, March 16, 2025.[4] "Kirsty Coventry: Zimbabwe's golden girl." Swimming World Magazine, September 13, 2023.
Coventry, the former swimmer from Zimbabwe, received the IOC presidency position, marking her as the first woman and first African to hold this prestigious role. Despite being narrowly older than some of her competitors, Coventry's career achievements and political experience made her a clear choice for the IOC. The news of her election was announced by the International Olympic Committee on March 16, 2025.
