For the first time in its 130-year history, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has elected a female president. Kristy Coventry, a former Zimbabwean swimmer, made history by becoming both the first woman and the first African to hold the prestigious position.
The election took place on Thursday (March 21) in Greece, where 41-year-old Coventry secured victory in the first round with 49 out of 97 votes. Spain's Juan Antonio Samara finished second with 28 votes.
Following her historic win, Coventry expressed her excitement: "This is a powerful message. It shows that we have truly become a global and diverse organization, and we want to continue that journey."
A Legacy of Success
As Africa's most successful female Olympian, Coventry realized her dream at just 20 years old. She won a gold medal in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2004 Athens Olympics and repeated the feat at the 2008 Beijing Games.
In a social media post from a few years ago, Coventry recalled a conversation with her father when she was nine: "I told him I wanted to go to the Olympics and win a gold medal. He warned me that it would be incredibly difficult—not only to make the team but to win a medal. Still, he always believed in me."
Now, she has made history once again. Elected as the 10th president of the IOC, Coventry will serve an eight-year term, officially taking office in June. Since 2018, she has also served as Zimbabwe's Minister of Sports.
Coventry's achievements extend beyond the Olympics, with a total of seven Olympic medals and multiple titles in the Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and All-Africa Games.
