Kirsty Coventry: First Female and African IOC President Elected

Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the President of the International Olympic Committee, being the first woman and first African to do so. She is Zimbabwe’s most decorated Olympian and currently serves as the Minister of Youth, Arts and Recreation. Her term begins in June 2025, succeeding Thomas Bach, and she has faced political challenges in her home country.

Kirsty Coventry, a former Zimbabwean swimmer and Olympic champion, has made history by being elected as the next President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). She is the first woman and first African to assume this prestigious role, which she will hold until 2033. Coventry will begin her term in June 2025, succeeding Thomas Bach, who had been her mentor.

At 41 years old, Coventry is not only Zimbabwe’s most decorated Olympian but also serves as the country’s Minister of Youth, Arts and Recreation. Her intentions include resigning from this government position to relocate to Lausanne, Switzerland, as she embarks on her new responsibilities with the IOC.

Coventry’s illustrious career includes winning gold medals in the 200 meters backstroke at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, constituting a total of seven Olympic medals, the highest ever for an African athlete. She initially participated in the Olympics as a high school student in 2000 and quickly rose to prominence, earning multiple medals in subsequent games.

Before her presidency, Coventry served from 2018 to 2021 as the athlete representative on the IOC executive board, although her alignment with Bach’s policies reportedly caused some frustration among various athlete groups. Her political career began after the 2017 coup that removed Mugabe, becoming Minister at just 34, despite her limited experience in government.

Despite her achievements, Coventry’s government role has been met with criticism over allegations of suppressing dissent and democracy in Zimbabwe, a nation currently facing sanctions from both the US and the European Union. She has been honored by former President Mugabe and received significant rewards for her athletic accomplishments, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in Zimbabwe.

Kirsty Coventry’s election as the IOC President marks a significant milestone in Olympic history as she becomes both the first woman and the first African to hold this esteemed position. With a celebrated career as an athlete and significant political involvement, she now faces the challenge of leading the IOC while managing her responsibilities and criticisms associated with her government role in Zimbabwe. Her journey reflects the evolving landscape of sports leadership on a global scale.

Original Source: www.livemint.com