Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe’s swimming legend and a towering figure in Olympic history, shattered a 130-year-old glass ceiling on Thursday, becoming the first woman and first African to assume the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In a resounding victory, Coventry clinched the top job in world sport, succeeding Thomas Bach and ushering in a transformative era for the Olympic Games.
The seven-time Olympic medalist secured an outright majority in a single round of secret balloting, winning 49 of the 97 available votes during the IOC Session at a luxurious seaside resort in Greece’s southwestern Peloponnese. Her triumph left Spain’s Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., who garnered 28 votes, in second place, while Britain’s Sebastian Coe, a pre-vote favorite, finished a distant third with eight votes. Other contenders—France’s David Lappartient, Jordan’s Prince Feisal, Sweden-born Johan Eliasch, and Japan’s Morinari Watanabe—split the remaining votes.
“It’s a really powerful signal,” Coventry said, her smile radiating confidence. “It’s a signal that we’re truly global and that we have evolved into an organization that is truly open to diversity, and we’re going to continue.”
Addressing her fellow IOC members, Coventry’s gratitude was palpable. “This is not just a huge honor, but it is a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you that I will lead this organization with so much pride,” she said. “I will make all of you very, very proud, and hopefully extremely confident with the choice you’ve taken today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Coventry’s landslide victory underscored a rare unity within the IOC, a body often marked by competing visions. “It’s extremely important we have to be a united front and we have to work together,” she emphasized. “We don’t, and we might not, always agree, but we have to be able to come together for the betterment of the movement.”
A member of the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission since 2012, Coventry brings a fresh perspective shaped by her remarkable career and deep ties to sport development in Africa. Her agenda includes expanding Olympic participation, engaging younger generations, and tackling pressing challenges like athlete rights, gender equity, and the sustainability of the Games. She also faces the intricate task of managing the IOC’s relationships with global sports federations and sponsors while safeguarding its financial health, bolstered by multibillion-dollar broadcasting and sponsorship deals.
Looking ahead, Coventry plans a collaborative approach. “I’m going to sit down with President Bach. We’re going to have a few months for a handover takeover,” she said. “What I want to focus on is bringing all the candidates together. There were so many good ideas and exchanges over the last six months.” She aims to harness these insights to chart the IOC’s course, blending her own vision with the priorities of its members. “I have some ideas, but a part of my campaign was listening to the IOC members and hearing what they have to say and how we want to move together.”
Coventry’s rise to the presidency marks a historic shift for the IOC, an organization founded in 1894 that has long been dominated by European and male leadership. Her election resonates far beyond the Olympic family, signaling a commitment to inclusivity and global representation. As a champion swimmer who competed in five Olympics and a trailblazer for African sport, she embodies the potential for change.
With the world watching, Coventry steps into her role at a pivotal moment. The global sporting community awaits her next moves, eager to see how she will steer the world’s largest multi-sport organization into a future that balances tradition with innovation. For now, her message is clear: the Olympic movement is ready to evolve, and she’s determined to lead the charge.
