KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTING —- World sport has a new leader after Kirsty Coventry was elected president of the International Olympic Committee at its 144^th Session in the Greek resort of Costa Navarino. She is the first woman to lead the Olympic movement and the first African.

Coventry, Zimbabwe’s former Olympic champion swimmer, was chosen decisively in the first round of voting. She took a winning 49 of the 97 votes ahead of Spain’s Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr on 28.

The 10^th president of the Olympic movement succeeds Thomas Bach after the German completed the second four-year stint of his 12 years in power. Bach was elected as honorary life president of the IOC on Wednesday after a tightly-controlled reign challenged by the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Coventry, who beat off six challengers, said: “This is an extraordinary moment, not just a high honour but a reminder of my commitment that I will lead this organisation with so much pride and make all of you very proud and hopefully extremely confident about the decision you have taken today.”

The IOC’s age limit rules mean this was the one and only opportunity for 65-year-old Samaranch, son of a former IOC president. The full voting was: Coventry 49, Samaranch 28, Britain’s Sebastian Coe eight, Frenchman David Lappartient (head of cycling’s ICU) and Japan’s Morinari Watanabe (international gymnastics supremo) four each, Johan Eliasch (Swedish president of the international ski federation) and long-serving IOC member Prince Feisal of Jordan two each.

Coventry, a 41-year-old Minister of Sport back home with a controversial record on human rights, was strongly believed to have been the favourite of Bach who was reported to have used his power to lobby on her behalf behind the scenes.

Career progress

Coventry, Africa’s most-decorated Olympian with seven medals – including two golds – from five Olympic Games to her name, was first elected to the IOC as a member of the athletes’ commission in 2013, then as an individual member in 2021. She stated in her manifesto that she wanted “to give back to the Movement that has given me so much and allowed me to be who I am today.”

She is currently serving on the IOC executive board and leading the IOC commissions monitoring the progress of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics and 2032 Brisbane Olympics. She has been Zimbabwe’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Recreation since September 2018.

In her manifesto she wrote: “My mission to drive empowerment, strengthen engagement, and ensure we remain relevant, is guided by the Ubuntu philosophy: ‘I am because we are.’ This principle highlights the combined strength of the Olympic community and our responsibility to uplift one another.”

According to the Olympic Charter, the new president is elected on an initial eight-year term with the possibility of re-election to a second four-year term for a maximum of 12 years in total. Her term of office starts formally when Bach retires on June 24.

The World Anti-Doping Association, World Athletics and International Paralympic Committee were among the first sports organisations to offer congratulations.

Andy Anson, ceo of the British Olympic Association, said; “The British Olympic Association warmly congratulates Kirsty Coventry who has today become the first female and 10th president of the International Olympic Committee. We know her well and look forward to working together to grow the Olympic movement’s global relevance and commercial success.”

IOC election statement

Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe [has been] elected as the 10th president of the International Olympic Committee and the first female president in IOC history, following one round of voting at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece.

Coventry was chosen over fellow presidential candidates HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Lord Sebastian Coe and Morinari Watanabe.*

President-elect Coventry said: “I am incredibly honoured and excited to be elected as President of the International Olympic Committee! I want to sincerely thank my fellow members for their trust and support.

“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamt of this moment.

“I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC President, and also the first from Africa. I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model.

“Sport has an unmatched power to unite, inspire and create opportunities for all, and I am committed to making sure we harness that power to its fullest. Together with the entire Olympic family, including our athletes, fans and sponsors, we will build on our strong foundations, embrace innovation, and champion the values of friendship, excellence and respect. The future of the Olympic Movement is bright, and I can’t wait to get started!”

After the election, IOC president Thomas Bach said: “Congratulations to Kirsty Coventry on her election as the 10th IOC President. I warmly welcome the decision of the IOC Members and look forward to strong cooperation, particularly during the transition period. There is no doubt that the future for our Olympic Movement is bright and that the values we stand for will continue to guide us through the years to come.”

Kirsty Coventry will succeed the ninth IOC President, Thomas Bach, whose 12-year tenure will officially end after Monday 23 June 2025. The President is elected by the IOC Members by secret ballot for a term of eight years.

########