LAUSANNE: Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry took over the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from Thomas Bach on Monday during a handover ceremony at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The 41-year-old former Olympic swimming champion made history by becoming the first woman and the first African to lead the 131-year-old global sports body. Her presidential term is eight years, with the possibility of seeking a four-year extension.
During her first speech as IOC President, Coventry praised the Olympic Movement as “a platform to inspire, a platform to change lives, and a platform to bring hope.”
“I can’t believe that in 1992 when I had the dream of going to the Olympic Games and winning a gold medal for Zimbabwe, that I’d be standing here with all of you, getting to make those dreams come true for more young people around the world,” she said.
Coventry secured the presidency in a decisive first-round vote during the 144th IOC Session on March 20, receiving 49 votes out of 97 ballots cast to defeat six other candidates.
A seven-time Olympic medalist for Zimbabwe, including two golds, Coventry is one of Africa’s most decorated athletes. She has been an IOC member since 2013 and previously chaired the IOC Athletes’ Commission, playing a key role in advocating for athletes’ rights and welfare.
Coventry has also served as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation since 2018. Agencies
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