Kirsty Coventry on Thursday made history as the first female and African president of the International Olympic Committee.
Kirsty expects her victory over six male contenders, including Lord Coe of Britain, sending a “powerful signal” as the first African and female head of the International Olympic Committee.
In the first round of Thursday’s ballot, the 41-year-old former swimmer, who has won two Olympic gold medals, received a majority of 49 of the 97 votes, compared to just eight for World Athletics manager Coe.
On June 23, Coventry, the sports minister of Zimbabwe, will succeed Thomas Bach, the IOC’s leader since 2013, becoming the organization’s youngest president in its 130-year existence.
Her first Olympics will be the Milan-Cortina Winter Games in February 2026.
“It’s a really powerful signal. It’s a signal that we’re truly global and that we have evolved into an organisation that is truly open to diversity and we’re going to continue walking that road in the next eight years,” Coventry said.
Runner-up Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr won 28 votes while France’s David Lappartient and Japan’s Morinari Watanabe earned four votes each. Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and Sweden’s Johan Eliasch both took two.
Coventry, who already sits on the IOC executive board and was said to be Bach’s preferred candidate, is the 10th person to hold the highest office in sport and will be in post for at least the next eight years.
Coventry has won seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals – including gold in the 200m backstroke at both the 2004 and 2008 Games.
“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamed of this moment,” said Coventry.
“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.”
She described her election as an “extraordinary moment” during her acceptance speech, and promised to make IOC members proud of their choice.