For Africa, for women, for Zimbabwe!

Gilbert Munetsi - Zim Now Writer

Kirsty Coventry has made history by becoming the first African and first female president of the International Olympic Committee following a secret ballot conducted during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece. Coventry, 41, will serve an eight-year term, succeeding outgoing President Thomas Bach.

The Zimbabwean, who also serves as her country’s Minister of Sport, Arts, and Recreation, takes over from Bach, who has held the position since 2013 and was re-elected in 2021. The official transition of leadership will take place on June 23, designated as Olympic Day, after which Bach will step down as an IOC Member and assume the honorary title of IOC President.

Coventry will oversee the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026 as her first Olympic Games, a challenge she faces with less than a year until the Opening Ceremony. She brings extensive experience in international sports administration, having served as Vice President of the International Surfing Federation from 2017 to 2024.

A decorated Olympian, Coventry was first elected as an IOC Member in 2013 through the IOC Athletes’ Commission, serving in that capacity until 2021 before being elected as an individual member. In 2018, she became Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, earning a place on the IOC Executive Board.

She also represented athletes on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) from 2012 to 2021 and served on WADA’s Athlete Committee from 2014 to 2021.

Born in Harare, Coventry’s illustrious swimming career spanned five Olympic Games, from Sydney 2000 to Rio 2016. She won a total of seven Olympic medals (two gold, four silver, and one bronze), securing gold in the 200m backstroke at both Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. To date, no other African athlete has surpassed her Olympic medal tally. She also claimed three long-course World Championship gold medals, four short-course titles, a Commonwealth Games gold, and 14 African Games gold medals.

In her campaign manifesto, Coventry outlined five key priorities for her presidency: harnessing the power of sport, maximizing collaboration and engagement, strengthening partnerships for mutual growth, championing sustainable development, and advancing credibility and trust. At the heart of her vision is the Ubuntu philosophy—“I am because we are”—which she described as a guiding principle for fostering unity and progress within the Olympic movement.

“This is not just a huge honor, but also a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you,” Coventry said in her victory speech. “I will lead this organization with immense pride, and I hope to make you all very proud and confident in the decision you have made today. Now, it is time to get to work together.”

Her election marks a historic turning point for the IOC, ushering in a new era of leadership that aims to elevate both the global Olympic movement and its influence across continents. And with her unique blend of athletic excellence, administrative experience, and commitment to inclusivity, Coventry is poised to leave a lasting legacy on the Olympic stage.