Kirsty Coventry has shattered the glass ceiling of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), becoming its first woman and first African president in the organization’s 130-year history.
The celebrated Zimbabwean swimming champion, a prominent figure in the Olympic community, triumphed on Thursday in the race to succeed Thomas Bach. Her victory marks a new chapter for the IOC and the Olympic Games.
“This is a powerful message,” Coventry said with a smile as the reality of her win set in. “It shows that we are truly a global organization that has evolved to embrace diversity, and we will continue to do so.”
Coventry secured the presidency in a landslide, clinching 49 out of 97 votes in the first round of the secret ballot. She easily defeated Spanish candidate Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., who received 28 votes, and Britain’s Sebastian Coe, who finished third with just eight votes.
The 41-year-old’s stunning first-round win in the seven-candidate race positions her to lead the IOC until 2033, marking a historic moment in world sports. One of her first challenges will likely be a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
