Kirsty Coventry smashes glass ceiling to become first woman and first African to lead IOC

Historic Election:
- Elected as the first woman and first African President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in its 130-year history (2025).
- Won in the first round of voting with 49 out of 97 votes, defeating:
  - Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. (28 votes)
  - Sebastian Coe (8 votes)
  - Others: David Lappartient, Prince Feisal, Johan Eliasch, Morinari Watanabe.
Background:
- Born in Zimbabwe; one of Africa’s greatest Olympians.
- 7-time Olympic medallist in swimming.
- Gold medals in 200m backstroke at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
- Member of IOC’s Athletes’ Commission since 2012.
- Served as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation.
Significance of Election:
- Breaks IOC’s historical dominance by European men.
- Seen as a strong signal of diversity and inclusivity in global sports governance.
- Expected to focus on athlete rights, gender inclusivity, youth engagement, and sustainability of the Olympic Games.
Challenges Ahead:
- Maintaining IOC’s financial stability (dependent on broadcasting & sponsorship deals).
- Managing relations with sports federations, sponsors, and governments.
- Addressing controversies linked to her ties with Zimbabwe’s government, including past recognition from Robert Mugabe.
  
  Updated - 21 March 2025 ; 9:30 PM | DD News