Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry Becomes First Woman, African IOC President

Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe’s most decorated Olympian, has made history by becoming the first woman and the first African to lead the International Olympic Committee (IOC). She officially assumed the presidency at a ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland, succeeding Thomas Bach, who led the IOC for 12 years. Coventry, a seven-time Olympic medalist and former Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation in Zimbabwe, won the presidency in a decisive first-round vote during the IOC’s 144th Session in Greece. In her inaugural speech, she highlighted the Olympic Movement as a platform to inspire and bring hope and acknowledged the challenges ahead, including the reintegration of Russia, protection of female sport categories, and climate change impacts on future Games. The handover ceremony also featured praise from outgoing President Bach and IPC President Andrew Parsons, who emphasized the strong partnership between the IOC and IPC. Coventry’s election is celebrated as a milestone for gender and African representation in global sports leadership.