Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry has etched her name in history, becoming the first woman and first African to be elected as President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The 41-year-old, a former Olympic champion, will succeed Thomas Bach, making her the youngest leader in the 130-year history of the prestigious body.
Coventry, who clinched gold medals in the 200m backstroke at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, secured an overwhelming 49 of the 97 votes in the first round, outpacing Lord Sebastian Coe, who was among the favorites but managed just eight votes.
Runner-up Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. collected 28 votes, while France’s David Lappartient and Japan’s Morinari Watanabe earned four votes each. Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and Sweden’s Johan Eliasch picked up two votes apiece.
A Shattered Glass Ceiling
Coventry, already an IOC executive board member, was widely seen as Bach’s preferred successor and is only the 10th person to hold the position. Her victory marks a turning point for gender and regional representation at the highest level of global sports governance.
“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamed of this moment,” Coventry said in an emotional victory speech.
“I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC president, and also the first from Africa. I hope that this vote will inspire many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I fully understand my responsibilities as a role model.”
Kirsty Coventry delivers her acceptance speech after being elected as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee, and the first female President in IOC history. pic.twitter.com/3BXf9kK0dI
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) March 20, 2025A Vision for the Future
Coventry campaigned on a promise to modernize the IOC, drive sustainability, embrace technology, and empower athletes. Notably, she strongly supported protecting female sport, backing a blanket ban on transgender women competing in female Olympic categories.
Despite her international achievements, Coventry has faced criticism in Zimbabwe over her role as the country’s sports minister under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose government has been sanctioned by the U.S. for corruption and human rights violations. Additionally, FIFA banned Zimbabwe from international football in 2022 due to government interference.
The election took place at a luxury seaside resort near Olympia, Greece, the historic birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games. In a strictly controlled voting process, IOC members surrendered their phones before casting their ballots in a secret electronic vote.
A New Era Begins
With an eight-year term ahead, Coventry is poised to reshape the Olympic movement, carrying the hopes of Africa and women in sport on her shoulders. Now, the sporting world waits to see if she can translate her poolside dominance into boardroom leadership.
