Kirsty Coventry, the newly elected President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), brings a wealth of experience and a remarkable legacy in sports administration and athletic achievement. Currently serving as an IOC Member and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Sport, Art & Recreation, Coventry has held the ministerial role since 2018. She also contributed to the global sports community as Vice President of the International Surfing Federation from 2017 to 2024.
Coventry’s journey with the IOC began in 2013 when she was elected as a member of the IOC Athletes' Commission, a position she held until 2021. That year, she transitioned to an individual IOC membership. Her leadership within the IOC continued to grow, and in 2018, she was elected Chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission, which also granted her a seat on the IOC Executive Board. From 2012 to 2021, she served as the IOC Athlete Representative on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and was a member of WADA's Athlete Committee from 2014 to 2021.
A native of Harare, Zimbabwe, Coventry is one of the most decorated Olympians in African history. She competed in five Olympic Games, from her debut at Sydney 2000 to her final appearance at Rio 2016. Over the course of her career, she won seven Olympic medals—two gold, four silver, and one bronze. Her gold medals in the 200m backstroke at both Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 cemented her status as a swimming legend. To date, no other African athlete has won more Olympic medals than Coventry.
Beyond the Olympics, Coventry’s achievements include three long-course World Championship gold medals, four short-course world titles, a Commonwealth Games gold, and an impressive 14 African Games gold medals. Her athletic prowess and dedication have made her a role model for aspiring athletes across the continent and beyond.
Reflecting on her historic election as the first woman and first African to lead the IOC, Coventry said, "It's a really powerful signal, a signal that we're truly global and that we have evolved into an organization that is truly open to diversity. We’re going to continue walking that road in the next eight years." She also emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration, stating, "What I want to focus on is to bring all the candidates together. There were so many good ideas and exchanges over the last six months, and I'd really like to leverage all of that."
Coventry’s vision for the IOC is outlined in her presidential election manifesto, which can be accessed [here]. Her leadership promises to build on the IOC’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and innovation, ensuring the Olympic Movement continues to inspire and unite people worldwide.
As she prepares to take on this pivotal role, Coventry’s journey from Olympic champion to IOC President stands as a testament to her dedication to sports and her unwavering belief in the power of the Olympic values. Her election marks a new era for the IOC, one that embraces progress and celebrates the global nature of sport.
Result of the IOC President Election 2025, first round:
| Candidate | Votes | |
|---|---|---|
| HRH Prince Feisal al Hussein | 2 | |
| David Lappartient | 4 | |
| Johan Eliasch | 2 | |
| Juan Antonio Samaranch | 28 | |
| Kirsty Coventry | 49 | Elected |
| Lord Sebastian Coe | 8 | |
| Morinari Watanabe | 4 |
President-elect Coventry's IOC Presidential election manifesto can be found here.
Africa Aquatics Media ©. Reproduced from OIympics.com
