IOC presidential election: Kirsty Coventry first woman to be elected president
Zimbabwe’s Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry was elected as the new chairman of the International Olympic Committee.
The 41-year-old former swimmer, who won two Olympic gold medals, replaced Thomas Bach, Germany – who has held the position since 2013 and became the first woman to play the role, the first African and youngest.
World track and field owner Lord Coe is a favorite to win Thursday’s Greek election, but Coventry won an absolute majority in the first round of voting.
Coventry, already on the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is the tenth highest position in sport and holds positions for at least the next eight years.
Coventry won seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympics – including the 200M backstroke gold medal in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
“The young girls who first started swimming in Zimbabwe a few years ago can never dream of dreaming,” Coventry said.
“I am very proud to be the first female president of the International Olympic Committee and the first woman in Africa.
“I hope this vote will be an inspiration for many. The glass ceiling has been broken today and I am fully aware of my responsibility as a role model.”
