DAKAR, March 23, 2025 - When Thomas Bach declared seven months ago that new times are calling for new leaders, many sport observers from Africa were far from imagining that the desired change at the head of the Olympic movement would be a woman, and even less so that she would come from Africa. Today it is a reality: Kirsty Coventry was elected President of the IOC during the 144th IOC session held in Greece on Thursday March 20, 2025.
A SURPRISE An unimaginable scenario that came as a surprise on the African continent. “It’s massive for her to become the first woman and first African to achieve this. We’re still in shock. She was a dark horse to be honest, everyone was looking at Seb Coe and Juan Antonio Samaranch as the front runners for the position, so it came as a huge surprise when she pulled off the victory,” President of the Zimbabwean National Sport Press Association Mehluli Sibanda said.
The same goes for Sudan. “Frankly, I did not expect Kirsty Coventry to win the election of the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) because of the large number of candidates and because she is the youngest of them, and is the only woman among them,” Mohamed Mufti sport journalist from Sudan stated. Despite the war in his country, which forced him into exile, Mufti, who has covered four Olympic Games, keeps a close eye on the latest developments in the movement.
The Senegalese were also surprised by Coventry’s victory. “I thought she had a chance when I saw the candidates and listened to her talk about her programme. But as for her being elected in the first round, I'm still surprised by the scale of her victory,” sport journalist and former president of the national sport press association Mamadou Koumé confessed.
OBI MITCHELL’S PREDICTIONS “Can an African woman change the old narrative in the IOC? Who will bet against the youngest and most decorated African Olympian hitting it right for the planet's biggest sports job? Time to get involved and see what Coventry can offer.”
These questions from Nigerian journalist Mitchell Obi, exchanged shortly before the “AIPS let’s talk to IOC presidential candidates” with Coventry, were not insignificant. The Nigerian journalist and former president of AIPS Africa had believed in the Zimbabwean's chances. In his predictions, it was a toss-up between the winner of the election and her direct follower, in the sense that Kirsty and Samaranch represent freshness and the future. But the other aspect that Mitchell believed could work in favor of the only woman candidate at the position of IOC President is that: “The women’s agenda in sports can draw considerable look-in .” Even if according to his analysis, a first-round victory was out of the question.
“The secret vote and the need for a simple majority simply tells me we have a second round beckoning,” Mitchell thought before the election.
A PRIDE FOR AFRICA At the end, the 41-year-old former swimmer came out on top with 49 votes, well ahead of Samaranch. History will record that Kirsty Coventry is the first female African at the head of a world sports organization. A source of pride for an entire continent.
From Harare to Casablanca, from Kigali to Cotonou the message of pride is the same: “Her rise to the presidency of the IOC is a source of pride for Africa and a source of inspiration for the younger generations, particularly young girls, who see her as a model of leadership and success. As she embarks on this historic mandate, all of Africa extends its sincerest congratulations to her and encourages her in her mission,” Felix Peperipe a leading sport journalist from Benin said.
According to Mamadou Koumé, “This is good news for African sport and sportswomen. This election will give greater confidence to the African sports movement, which undoubtedly played a part in her victory.”
In a message shared on social media, Mouhamed Diop, president of Africa Aquatics also expressed his pride at seeing Coventry honoring its sport by becoming the first president of the IOC. “This is a great source of pride for African swimming,” Senegalese Mouhamed Diop stated. “As President of Africa Aquatics and a former swimmer, I am particularly happy to see an African woman, a former swimmer with an exceptional career, reach such a high level of responsibility,” Diop added.
A DYNAMIC OF CHANGE Beyond being a shouting achievement at the African level and a big achievement for women worldwide, Kirsty’s election as IOC president is undoubtedly, according to Mufti, an important step towards equality between men and women and a new direction towards the young leadership.
“Coventry shunned the convention of yesterday and gave the sports world a surprise. First round win was a stunner and no doubt about it, the IOC has set a fresh convention that may even happen in the AIPS of tomorrow. The dynamics are fast changing, and we can all hope the sporting space will find the grace to match this race of balance and capacity in leadership that inspires and benefits all,” the former AIPS Africa president Mitchell analyzed.
Mamadou Koumé is also convinced that the arrival of a woman at the head of the IOC, combined with her youth, is a refreshing change for the Olympic movement. “In my opinion, she should have no problem presiding over the IOC,” he hopes.
TIME FOR WOMEN The election of the first woman as president of a world sports organization is not only historic, but also a strong signal that it may well be time for women. According to Mitchell, this is a game-changer, and international federations will be giving women a chance to lead. Presented as a charismatic and devoted woman, Kirsty has always assumed her status as a mother and wife alongside her professional activities.
“Kirsty Coventry, double Olympic champion and holder of seven Olympic medals, has always embodied the values of excellence, determination and fair play. Her commitment to the development of sport in Africa and around the world has made her a leading voice in the Olympic Movement,” Pépéripé testified.
Even after leaving the pools, and in her roles within the International Olympic Committee, she has remained steadfast in her convictions.
“She was underestimated, and she found her peak during the campaign. Though the youngest, her views and thoughts were essentially conservative. She never flirted on the transgender question. You are either male or female,” Obi Mitchell pointed out.
Her election is also seen as a sign of hope for a greater role for women in sport. “As a female president, we expect her to push for more opportunities for women, but at the same time ensuring that the best athletes showcase their talent at the Olympics. We expect her to push for more females in key positions within the IOC,” Zimbabwean Mehluli Sibanda said.
CHALLENGES Even if African sport media actors are very enthusiastic, they also remain realistic. Coventry's term won’t be without challenges. “The challenges will be numerous: promoting gender equality in sport, combating doping, developing sports infrastructures in emerging countries and strengthening the Olympic spirit throughout the world,” Félix Peperipe listed. In addition, the participation in the Games of athletes from countries with political problems will also be an issue Kirsty will have to work on,” according Koumé.
“Tough assignments lie ahead with LA28 coming up with the issue of transgender athletes to be dealt with as well as the Ukraine, Russia & Belarus situation that needs to be addressed. It won't be easy for a female president to lead the Olympic movement. But she has been elected and she must put her foot down once she assumes office and ensure that all her plans fall in place,” Mehluli Sibanda acknowledged.
