History in the Making
In less than ninety days, the first woman will assume the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) role. Since the position was established in 1835, no woman or African leader has held this pivotal role, which is essential for decision-making and managing the world’s premier sports organization. After 131 years in the position, Kirsty Coventry will become the first woman and African to take on this responsibility, following a hard-fought race against six other candidates.
The Race for the IOC Presidency
On September 15, 2024, the IOC announced the seven contenders for the presidency. Among them, only one woman, Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry, expressed her intent to take on one of the world’s most influential positions in the sports world. The other six candidates were: HRH Prince Feisal from Jordan, an IOC member since 2010; Lord Sebastian Coe from Britain, President of World Athletics (Track and Field); Johan Eliasch from Sweden, President of the International Ski Federation; David Lappartient from France, President of the Union Cycliste Internationale; Juan Antonio Samaranch from Spain, IOC Vice President; and Morinari Watanabe from Japan, President of the International Gymnastics Federation.
The race was highly competitive, with each candidate boasting years of experience in sports leadership and involvement in the IOC, whether at the national level or globally.
Victory for Kirsty
The election process involved strict rules, such as limited contact with voters during the campaign period. The voting committee consisted of 97 IOC members and a candidate needed the most votes to win. If no majority were reached in the first round, the candidate with the fewest votes would be eliminated, and another round of voting would follow until a winner emerged. Kirsty surpassed expectations, securing over a third of the total votes. She received 49 votes, leaving the other six candidates to split the remaining votes, and was declared the winner.
Who is Kirsty?
Kirsty is the most decorated African Olympian, with seven Olympic medals. Hailing from Zimbabwe in Southern Africa, she has served as the country’s Minister for Youth, Sports, Arts, and Recreation since 2018. Coventry holds seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals. At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, she won a bronze in the 200m individual medley, a gold in the 200m backstroke, and a silver in the 100m backstroke. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she added two silver medals—one in the 400m individual medley and another in the 200m individual medley—and a silver in the 100m backstroke.
After competing in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics without earning additional medals, she retired from competitive swimming to focus on sports administration and governance.
Kirsty’s Tasks Ahead
At 41 years old, Kirsty will be the youngest person to take on this role, and she has a lot on her plate when she assumes office. Officially taking over from Thomas Bach on June 23, 2025, she enters office at a time when issues surrounding gender equality in sports are at the forefront of global discussions. She has already played a crucial role in advancing gender equality within the IOC, and her leadership will be scrutinized as she takes on a traditionally male-dominated position overseeing the Summer and Winter Olympics—two of the world’s most widely viewed events.
What Her Victory Means
Kirsty’s victory marks a significant departure from the norm. Although Sebastian Coe was initially considered the frontrunner, her win was a surprising and disruptive shift in the IOC’s leadership. Her election highlights the growing need for change and fresh perspectives within the organization. Women have been excluded from decision-making roles in sports governance for centuries, but the tide has been changing in recent years. Kirsty’s rise to the IOC presidency serves as a powerful inspiration for women in sports administration and governance, paving the way for future generations to break barriers in similar fields. She will serve as president until 2033.
