Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the first woman president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Africa’s most decorated Olympian and Zimbabwe’s minister of sport since 2018 secured a majority of votes in the first round of the election process at the 144th IOC Session in Greece.
The 41-year-old Zimbabwean was chosen over six other candidates, including Lord Sebastian Coe, the two-time 1500m Olympic gold medallist and president of World Athletics and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, the 65-year-old IOC vice-president and son of the seventh IOC president, Juan Antonio Samaranch.
She received 49 votes, finishing ahead of Samaranch Jr with 28, and third-place Coe on eight.
Coventry will become the 10th president, succeeding Thomas Bach, who will remain in post until June, and will begin her eight-year term.
Coventry has won seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals to date with the former swimmer taking two golds, four silvers and a bronze across Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
Bach, 71, leaves as IOC president after serving a maximum 12 years in the role. He won Olympic gold in fencing in 1976 representing West Germany and succeeded Jacques Rogge in 2013. He was president for three summer and three winter Games, including Paris last year.
Earlier this week, Coventry spoke to about a wide range of issues surrounding the Games.
On the controversy surrounding Algeria’s boxing gold medallist Imane Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting — who were banned by the sport’s suspended international federation (the IBA) for reportedly failing gender-eligibility tests but then cleared to fight by the IOC — Coventry said: “The international federations have had the major role in the rules around transgender athletes.
“I think the IOC should bring everyone into a room and hash it out. For some international federations, like equestrian, men and women compete against each other, so it’s not high on their agenda, but the IOC needs to take a leading role.
“I don’t think we need to redo all the work that’s been done but we can learn from the international federations, come up with a framework and set up a task force that will look at this constantly and consistently. The overarching principle must be to protect the female category.”
Coventry takes over ahead of the 2028 summer Games in Los Angeles, which will take place while Donald Trump is president of the United States.
Trump has attracted headlines in his first few months in office after imposing tariffs on neighouring Canada and Mexico, and signed the “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” order on Febraury 5, which said, “It shall also be the policy of the United States to oppose male competitive participation in women’s sports more broadly, as a matter of safety, fairness, dignity, and truth.”
“Yeah, obviously, but that’s not always going to be the case,” Coventry replied when asked if it would be easier for the IOC if Trump was less controversial, “and communication is going to be key. The new IOC president, whoever comes in, will need to say: “Just a reminder, this was in the host contract, this is what we expect, these are our values, this is why we awarded the Games to you and we’re not going to compromise on x, y and z.”
“While it’s not ideal, you’re always going to have politicians looking at sports events as a platform to get different messages across. We, the IOC, need to ensure we remain neutral, which is easier said than done, but the only way that we can remain neutral is by ensuring our integrity — and our values — are upheld.
“But Trump is a huge sports fan. A sitting president going to the Super Bowl, for example, and I know he’s already having great conversations with FIFA about the World Cup. He’s very excited about that and has mentioned three or four times already about how he brought the World Cup and Olympic Games to the U.S.. I was in Davos when he said that he’s delighted he’s going to be the president when they happen and wants them to be successes. Everything comes down to how we communicate. Early engagement will be the key.”
(Fabrice Coffrini | AFP via Getty Images) Candidate to the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Kirsty Coventry speaks during a press conference following a presentation before their fellow IOC members in Lausanne, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan 30, 2025.
Coe, meanwhile, previously criticised the IOC’s election process, with candidates prohibited access to the 109 voting members under strict rules.
The 68-year-old Brit said the process could be made “more inclusive.”
“Is it a good exercise in selecting the next leadership? No. I think there are more inclusive ways of doing that,” he said, via Reuters. “More access to the members, more transparency, more open. It has been difficult to engage. I don’t think those are the guiding principles of an election.”
Salt Lake 2034 weighs in
“Kirsty Coventry represents a bright future for the Olympic Movement and the unity it brings to our world. As we lead up to the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City-Utah, we will look to her guidance as an accomplished Olympic champion, and a young next-generational leader who has been a strong athlete voice and understands full well the impact the Olympic Movement can have on humanity.”
Fraser Bullock, Executive Chair and President of the Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
‘Glass ceilings have been smashed today’
Coventry said she was “honored” to be elected and called on the Olympic movement to “embrace innovation” ahead of the beginning of her presidency.
“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamt of this moment,” president-elect Coventry said.
“I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC President, and also the first from Africa. I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model.
“Together with the entire Olympic family, we will build on our strong foundations, embrace innovation, and champion the values of friendship, excellence and respect.”
Her predecessor Bach added: “I warmly welcome the decision of the IOC Members and look forward to strong cooperation, particularly during the transition period. There is no doubt that the future for our Olympic Movement is bright and that the values we stand for will continue to guide us through the years to come.”
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
