Coventry Makes History as IOC’s First Woman and African President

Kirsty Coventry has made history as the first woman and first African to be elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), defeating six male contenders — including Britain’s Lord Coe — in a landmark vote that she hopes will send a “powerful signal” about the future of global sport.

The 41-year-old Zimbabwean, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, secured a decisive victory with 49 of 97 votes cast in the first round of Thursday’s election. Coe, the president of World Athletics, garnered just eight votes, while Spain’s Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr finished second with 28. Other contenders, including France’s David Lappartient and Japan’s Morinari Watanabe, earned four votes each. Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and Sweden’s Johan Eliasch received two votes apiece.

Coventry, who serves as Zimbabwe’s sports minister and has been a member of the IOC executive board, will succeed Thomas Bach as president on June 23. She will also become the youngest person to hold the role in the IOC’s 130-year history. Her first Games as president will be the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

“It’s a really powerful signal,” Coventry said after her win. “It shows that we are truly global and evolving as an organisation committed to diversity. We will keep walking that path over the next eight years.”

Known for her decorated swimming career, Coventry has won seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals, including back-to-back gold in the 200m backstroke at the 2004 and 2008 Games. Reflecting on her journey, she said: “The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamed of this moment. I am especially proud to be the first female IOC president, and the first from Africa.”

In her acceptance speech, she called her election an “extraordinary moment” and pledged to honour the trust of IOC members. “Glass ceilings have been shattered today,” she said. “I understand the weight of responsibility I carry as a role model, and I hope this inspires many others.”

During her campaign, Coventry vowed to modernise the IOC, focus on sustainability, embrace innovation, and prioritise athlete empowerment. Notably, she championed protections for women’s sport, supporting a complete ban on transgender women competing in female Olympic events.