Kirsty_Coventry_Makes_History_as_New_IOC_President

Kirsty Coventry Makes History as New IOC President

In a groundbreaking move, Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry has taken office as the new President of the International Olympic Committee, becoming the first woman and the first African to lead the 130-year-old global sports body. 🏅

Born in Harare in 1983, Coventry dazzled the world as an Olympic swimmer, winning gold in the 200-meter backstroke at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. After retiring in 2016, she boldly transitioned to leadership roles in sports and public service, serving as Zimbabwe's Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture since 2019. 🔥

Along her dynamic journey, she has contributed greatly through positions on the IOC Athletes' Commission (since 2012), the IOC Executive Board (from 2023), and by chairing coordination commissions for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. With an eight-year term ahead, Coventry is poised to usher in a fresh era of sports governance and inspire a new generation of athletes and leaders.

At the same time, outgoing President Thomas Bach, a former Olympic fencing champion, wrapped up his impactful 12-year tenure filled with vital reforms, including Olympic Agenda 2020 and a revamped bidding process. In honor of his legacy, he was named Lifetime Honorary President.

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