Zimbabwean candidate Kirsty Coventry was elected as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece on March 20, 2025. Coventry, the first woman and African to hold this position, won against seven other contenders, making her the youngest president ever at the age of 41. She will officially assume office on June 24, succeeding Thomas Bach after his 12-year term.
In her acceptance speech, Coventry expressed her gratitude and commitment to leading the IOC with pride and integrity. As a former standout athlete for Zimbabwe, she has won a total of seven Olympic medals, highlighting her dedication to the Olympic movement. Her election comes at a critical time with global uncertainties, emphasizing the need for gender equality and inclusivity in sports.
Following some technical issues during the voting process, Coventry emerged as the clear winner in the first round, securing an absolute majority of votes. She outlined her vision for promoting sports as a unifying force and addressing inequalities, particularly focusing on empowering women in sports at all levels.
As the new IOC President, Coventry will oversee the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Games and aims to strengthen the values of the Olympic movement while fostering positive change in the sporting world.
