Kirsty Coventry is the first African to become IOC President
Zimbabwe’s sports minister, Kirsty Coventry, was elected as the 100th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on March 20, 2025.
She won the election in the first round after reaching the absolute majority (50+ one vote) mark, defeating her competitors to become the first woman and African to occupy the position.
The 41-year-old will officially take up the role on June 24, 2025, from the incumbent president, Thomas Bach, who has been in charge of the role for the past 12 years.
Speaking on the historic victory, Coventry expressed joy and promised to deliver on the expectations of the electorate.
“This is an extraordinary moment. As a nine-year-old girl, I never thought I would be standing here one day, giving back to this incredible movement of ours.
“This is not just a huge honour, it’s also a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you that I will lead this organization with pride, upholding the values at its core, and making all of you very proud and confident in the decision you’ve taken today,” she said.
Coventry will assume the role at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty worldwide, with questions surrounding the direction of the Olympic movement in the 21st century and increased scrutiny of issues related to gender identity and equality.
The role is expected to bolster African representation during Olympic Games and invest in sports development in the country.
About Kirsty Coventry
Kirsty Leigh Coventry Seward was born on September 16, 1983. She is a Zimbabwean swimmer, politician, and sports administrator.
She has served as the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation in the Cabinet of Zimbabwe since September 2018.
As a former Olympic swimmer and world record holder, she is the most decorated Olympian from Africa.
At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, she won three Olympic medals: a gold, a silver, and a bronze. In the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, she won four medals: a gold and three silvers.
She was elected Chairperson of the IOC Athletes’ Commission in early 2018.
Coventry retired from swimming after her fifth Olympics, having won the joint-most individual medals in women’s swimming in Olympic history.
Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Debate as some Ghanaians predict a win for Black Stars against Chad
SB/EK
