Kirsty Coventry has made history as the first woman to lead the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in its 131-year existence, following a decisive first-round victory in the election. The former Zimbabwean swimmer secured 49 out of 97 votes, achieving an outright majority and surpassing high-profile competitors, including Britain’s Sebastian Coe.
Coventry’s election marks a milestone not only for gender representation but also for Africa, as she becomes the first person from the continent to hold the position. Her triumph came as a surprise to many, given that her campaign initially lacked momentum. However, strong backing from outgoing president Thomas Bach and other senior IOC members in the final days before the vote proved pivotal in securing her win.
The election process, which many expected to extend through multiple rounds, concluded in just two minutes. The IOC’s diverse membership, including royals, former athletes, politicians, and billionaires, overwhelmingly supported Coventry. Her main rival, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., secured 28 votes, while Coe managed only eight, leaving him in third place.
Coventry, a seven-time Olympic medalist and gold winner in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2004 and 2008 Games, expressed her gratitude and excitement upon her victory. She reflected on her journey from a young girl in Zimbabwe to the leader of the world’s most influential sporting organization. She acknowledged the significance of her achievement, emphasizing her role as a trailblazer and role model.
Before the election, Coe was seen as the most experienced candidate, having won two Olympic gold medals, organized the London 2012 Games, and served as World Athletics president since 2015. His campaign focused on making the IOC more democratic and safeguarding women’s sports. However, his strategy of securing support from former athletes before building momentum in later voting rounds ultimately failed.
Reflecting on his defeat, Coe acknowledged that a large number of athlete members, particularly women, had backed Coventry in the first round. Other candidates, including Japan’s Morinari Watanabe, were more philosophical about their losses, with Watanabe humorously remarking that years of preparation had disappeared in mere minutes.
Coe’s strained relationship with Bach, stemming from World Athletics’ decision to ban Russian athletes from the 2016 Rio Olympics due to state-sponsored doping, may have weakened his candidacy. However, Bach, who has led the IOC since 2013 and was recently named honorary president, denied any direct involvement in Coventry’s win. He emphasized that accepting election results is a fundamental aspect of democracy.
Despite the celebration of Coventry’s historic victory, her leadership will not be without controversy. As Zimbabwe’s sports minister, she is associated with a government facing international scrutiny. Britain has imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, urging its government to uphold democratic principles and the rule of law. Human rights organizations have reported instances of repression, arbitrary detention, and judicial persecution of opposition members and activists.
Coventry also previously received a significant cash reward from Zimbabwe’s former president, Robert Mugabe, upon returning from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. While some view her election with skepticism, she remains focused on the future, emphasizing her commitment to using sport’s unifying power to inspire and create opportunities globally.
She will officially assume office on June 23 when Bach steps down after reaching the maximum 12-year term limit. In her victory speech, Coventry expressed optimism about the future of the Olympic movement, declaring her eagerness to begin her new role.
