
Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe has been elected the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), marking a historic milestone as the first woman and first African to hold the position. The 41-year-old former Olympic swimmer secured 49 out of 97 votes in a secret ballot (投票表决) held during the 144th IOC Session in Greece on 20 March. She will officially assume her eight-year term on 23 June, succeeding Thomas Bach, who steps down after leading the IOC since 2013.
Coventry’s journey to the presidency is rooted in her remarkable athletic career. Competing in five Olympic Games from Sydney 2000 to Rio 2016, she earned seven medals — including back-to-back golds in the 200m backstroke at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 — making her Africa’s most decorated Olympian. Beyond swimming, she has held significant roles in sports governance, serving as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Sport since 2018 and as an IOC member since 2013. Her leadership experience includes chairing the IOC Athletes’ Commission and representing athletes on the World Anti-Doping (使用兴奋剂) Agency.
In her acceptance speech, Coventry emphasized her commitment to diversity and collaboration. “This election sends a powerful signal that the IOC is truly global and open to change,” she stated. She pledged to unify the Olympic Movement by incorporating ideas from all seven presidential candidates, highlighting the need for shared progress. Her immediate focus will be overseeing the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, with less than a year until the Games begin.
Outgoing President Thomas Bach praised Coventry’s election, expressing confidence in her ability to uphold Olympic values. Coventry’s priorities include addressing challenges such as athlete welfare and global representation. She also aims to inspire African nations, stating, “This is our time,” while honoring her Zimbabwean roots. Her unique perspective as both an elite athlete and a government official positions her to bridge gaps between sports, politics, and grassroots development.
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