An African becomes first woman elected President of IOC

An African on Thursday, March 20, 2025, became the first woman President of the International Olympic Committee, (IOC).

Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry said it was an “extraordinary moment.”

At 41, the two-time Olympic swimming champion is also the youngest ever person elected to the most powerful position in sports governance.

“It is a really powerful signal we are truly global and evolved into an organization open to diversity,” said Coventry.

Lemonde.fr reports that she was only the second woman to run for the post.

Coventry succeeds the German Thomas Bach, who steps down after 12 years.

She told her fellow IOC members she would work with the six other rivals she beat in the election.

“This is an extraordinary moment.

As a nine-year-old girl I never thought that I would be standing up here one day, getting to give back to this incredible movement of ours,” Coventry said.

“This is not just a huge honour but it is a reminder to every single one of you that I will lead this organisation with so much pride,

“with the values at the core and I will make all of you very, very proud and, I hope, extremely confident in the decision you’ve taken today.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” she added

Coventry, was thought to be in a tight-run race with IOC veteran Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior and World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe.

However, to general surprise, the race was over after the first round of voting.

A majority of the IOC members placed their faith in her.

Coventry received 49 of the 97 votes possible, with Samaranch obtaining 28 and Coe third with eight votes.

“She has a very strong mandate, it is a great signal of unity in the Olympic movement and she can count on the support of the membership,” said Bach.

Conventry was reportedlyBach’s favourite candidate.

Bach will hand over power officially on June 24, 2025.

The other candidates were:

• International Ski and Snowbord Federation Chief Johan Eliasch,
• President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Morinari Watanabe,
• cycling head David Lappartient and,
• Prince Feisal al-Hussein were the other four candidates.

Coventry said during her campaign that if she won it would be a huge moment for Africa as it would show “we’re ready to lead.”

She will take over a financially secure IOC but those calm waters are muddied by a febrile geopolitical situation.

Coventry will have to deal with US President Donald Trump as Los Angeles hosts the next Summer Olympics in 2028.

She said “communication will be key,” adding: “I have been dealing with, let’s say, difficult men in high positions since I was 20 years old.”

Samaranch Junior had argued that in this “very complex world,” where previously undisputed truths such as “universality, fraternity and unity” are now questioned, it was no time to take a leap in the dark.

“It is not about the face or the gender, or the continent,” he told AFP.

But IOC members chose a new face.

“It is very good news, the IOC is moving into the future, she has so much support from the membership, we will all walk behind her,” Samanrach said.

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Coe appeared to be seen by Bach as the disruptor candidate, which is perhaps surprising given many would view him as an establishment figure.

He took the dashing of his dream on the chin, though, grinning when asked if it had been a clean fight and replying:

“It was an election.” “I am really pleased for Kirsty, it is really good there is an athlete at the top of the organisation.”

He then oversaw the highly-praised hosting of those Olympics and has been credited with reforming track and field’s global body since becoming president in 2015.

Coe argued the IOC needs to do more “to create true and genuine commercial partners out of our athletes.”

One of the major problems the new president will face will be the return to the Olympic fold of Russia.

In Paris last year their athletes were forced to compete under a neutral banner, owing to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

In a note addressed to Coventry, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated her.

Media reports quoted him as saying that her election was a proof of her high authority in the sporting world.

He said it was also a recognition of her outstanding personal achievements, adding he was sure she would achieve “success” in the role.

However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had earlier said:

“We hope obviously the principle ‘sport outside of politics’ will carry the day.

“We hope the IOC will improve the situation regarding that.” he added

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