Kirsty Coventry Becomes First Female IOC President in Historic Election

COSTA NAVARINO, Greece – Kirsty Coventry has made history by being elected as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on March 20, 2025. She is not only the first woman and first African to hold this position, but at 41, she will also be the youngest ever to assume the role.

Coventry triumphed over six other candidates at the 144th IOC Session held in Costa Navarino. She will officially begin her eight-year term on June 24, following a handover from outgoing President Thomas Bach, who has served since 2013 and is stepping down after completing his maximum term.

“This is an extraordinary moment. As a nine-year-old girl, I never thought I would be standing up here one day getting to give back to this incredible movement of ours,” said Coventry in her acceptance speech. This is a time of significant change and challenge within the Olympic movement, which is facing geopolitical instability and heightened scrutiny on issues like gender identity and equality.

Previously a celebrated swimmer representing Zimbabwe, Coventry earned seven of the country’s eight Olympic medals. At the 2004 Athens Games, she won three medals, including gold in the 200-meter backstroke, and successfully defended her title in Beijing in 2008.

As the newly-elected president prepares to take office, she will have a significant impact on upcoming Olympic events, including the Olympic Winter Games just months away. “Now we’ve got some work together,” Coventry remarked, highlighting her commitment to fostering unity and collaboration within the organization.

In her new role, Coventry aims to prioritize the needs of athletes and enhance support systems for emerging sports talent. Among her early proposals is the development of mobile applications to aid aspiring Olympians in their training, regardless of geographic limitations.

Coventry’s diverse experience includes serving as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Sport, Art and Recreation since 2018 and holding various positions within the IOC, including chairing the Athletes’ Commission. She emphasized the importance of her dual roles as a mother and a leader during a recent Q&A session, stating, “I had to quickly learn how to navigate being a woman with a career as well as a mum and a wife.”

Currently seen as a transformative leader, Coventry is determined not to be defined solely by her gender. “I want to be the best person that people see leading our organization, not a choice just based on gender,” she stated when asked about the significance of her election.

She succeeds Bach, who was also honored on the eve of the election, becoming the IOC Honorary President for Life after guiding the organization through both challenges and successes, including the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am grateful that you allowed me to give back to sport what I have received from the Olympic Movement,” Bach said in his farewell address.

Coventry’s presidency comes at a pivotal moment for the IOC, with the next Olympic hosts set to be Milan Cortina in 2026, Los Angeles in 2028, and Brisbane in 2032. The IOC continues its commitment to evolving and addressing contemporary issues in the realm of sports and athletics.