HARARE, March 20, 2025 - When Thomas Bach lifted a white card bearing Kirsty Coventry’s name, confirming her as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a wave of joy and relief swept across Zimbabwe and far beyond. Just like 20 years ago, when she won her first Olympic medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Gifting Zimbabwe a silver medal in the 200m backstroke event.

SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE In Zimbabwe, regular programming was interrupted to break the news, while social media platforms erupted, with Coventry trending once again - just as she had two decades earlier. The moment echoed her historic triumphs in Athens, where she first etched her name into Olympic history - just 300 kilometres (186 miles) from Costa Navarino, the site of today’s milestone election.

SINGLE ROUND WIN The vote, held during the 144th IOC Session, saw Coventry win decisively in the first round with 49 votes. She outpaced a field of high-profile contenders, including Juan Antonio Samaranch (28 votes), Lord Sebastian Coe (8), David Lappartient and Morinari Watanabe (4 each), and HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein and Johan Eliasch (2 each).

At just 41 years old, Coventry becomes the youngest IOC president in history - and notably, the first woman and the first African to hold the role. In the country where the Olympic Games were born, history has been made once more.

A CHILDHOOD DREAM REALIZED In 1992, nine-year-old Kirsty Coventry sat in her home in Harare, watching the Summer Olympics in Barcelona with wide-eyed wonder. She turned to her parents and said, “One day, I want to compete at the Olympics.” That simple declaration launched a journey that would make her one of Africa’s most decorated Olympians.

Despite financial hardships, her parents stood by her dream - selling burgers at local swimming pools to help fund her training. A scholarship to Auburn University in the U.S. gave her access to world-class coaching, while support from the Olympic Solidarity Fund covered crucial expenses.

Her perseverance paid off: Seven Olympic medals - two gold, four silver, one bronze - cemented her status as one of Africa’s all-time greats. Her victories ignited national pride; crowds flooded the streets to welcome her home, and many parents named their daughters after her.

FROM POOL TO POLICY After retiring from competitive swimming, Coventry transitioned to sports administration. For the past seven years, she has served as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation, managing sport in a country grappling with economic instability.

Juggling the roles of mother, minister, and advocate, she stood out for her commitment and tenacity. As Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, she championed the rights of athletes globally while navigating tight national budgets and inflation at home.

Coventry credits these challenges with preparing her for the demands of IOC leadership: “As a nursing mother of two, I’ve had to balance ministry work, run a foundation, serve the IOC, and raise my family,” she said. “It’s this very juggling act that has shaped me for this moment.”
 

A Platform for Equality and Support
Coventry has been a vocal advocate for gender equality, especially in leadership. While the IOC has made strides - women now make up 42% of its members - she insists the work isn’t done: “Women are ready. Ready to lead,” she told journalists during an AIPS session. “When my daughters grow up, I don’t want them facing the same barriers I did. That’s part of why I ran - not the only reason, but a powerful one. It’s time.”

She has also made clear her stance on athlete support: she’s not a fan of prize money for Olympic medals:“I’d rather see sustained support for athletes as they prepare,” Coventry explained. “That was the toughest part of my own journey - securing sponsorships was brutal. The Olympic Solidarity scholarship I received changed everything.”

She called for more targeted funding before and after the Games - not just a one-time reward for podium finishes: “We need to help athletes before they reach the Olympics,” she said. “And after they retire, how do we support them through that next phase of life?”

A President for All Athletes
Coventry has consistently advocated for athletes’ right to compete - even when geopolitical tensions threaten participation.

“My country was in crisis in 2004, yet I was able to compete,” she reflected. “I think about where I’d be if I hadn’t had that chance. Athletes shouldn’t be punished for the actions of their governments.” She emphasized that the IOC must approach global conflicts with nuance and care.

“Whether it’s wars in Europe, the Middle East, or ongoing conflicts in Africa, we must find ways to support athletes caught in the crossfire. This isn’t just about politics - it’s about protecting dreams.”

A Legacy of Breaking Barriers
Kirsty Coventry’s rise, from a young girl with a dream in Harare to the pinnacle of Olympic leadership, is a story of grit, vision, and the unifying power of sport.

Her presidency ushers in a new chapter for the Olympic Movement, one rooted in inclusivity, sustainability, and excellence. For every aspiring athlete watching today, her story is a powerful reminder: no dream is too big, and no challenge is too great.