Kirsty Coventry, a seven-time Olympic medallist, was elected president of the IOC, becoming the first woman and first African to hold this role. She plans to enhance support for athletes, drawing from her own experiences in athletics. Her term will oversee major Olympic events, and she received commendations from outgoing president Thomas Bach.
Kirsty Coventry, a seven-time Olympic medallist from Zimbabwe, has been elected as the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). At 41, she emerged victorious in the first round of voting among 97 IOC members during the 144th IOC session and is set to succeed Thomas Bach on June 23. Notably, Coventry is the first woman and the first African to hold this prestigious position within the IOC, which was established 131 years ago by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas.
Coventry expressed her honor and commitment to the IOC, stating, “This is not just a huge honour, but it is a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you that I will lead this organisation with so much pride.” She intends to instill confidence in the IOC members and is eager to collaborate with them to bring about significant change.
Throughout her Olympic career between 2000 and 2016, Coventry secured seven medals, including two golds, affirming her status as a world-class athlete. She triumphed in a competitive election against six strong candidates, such as David Lappartient of France and Olympic gold medallist Sebastian Coe, who leads World Athletics. Coventry acknowledged the robustness of the competition, stating, “This race was an incredible race,” emphasizing the strength it has brought to the movement.
As she prepares to assume her role, she reflected on the support from outgoing president Thomas Bach, who offered his advice and assistance, saying, “If the new president would like to have some advice or support they can call me in the middle of the night.” Coventry’s term will span eight years, during which she will oversee significant events including the Summer Games in Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032, as well as the Winter Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo and the French Alps.
In anticipation of her tenure, Coventry shared her dedication to enhancing support for aspiring athletes. She stated, “The hardest part of my journey was becoming an Olympic champion,” and emphasized the need for dedicated programs that directly assist athletes in their journey to Olympic success.
Kirsty Coventry’s election as president of the IOC marks a significant milestone for women and Africa in global sports leadership. Her commitment to developing future athletes and ensuring their support is evident in her plans for implementing dedicated programs. With an eight-year term ahead, Coventry’s leadership will be crucial during the upcoming Olympic Games.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
