Coventry Makes History as First Female, African IOC President

Kirsty Coventry Elected as First Female and African IOC President, Receives Congratulatory Letter from China

Kirsty Coventry, a Zimbabwean Olympic swimmer and politician, has been elected as the 10th president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), making history as the first woman and the first African to lead the global Olympic movement.

In a congratulatory letter sent on Thursday night, Gao Zhidan, president of the Chinese Olympic Committee and head of China's General Administration of Sport, expressed his full support for Coventry's election, stating that it reflects the trust and confidence of the Olympic community. Gao expressed confidence that under Coventry's leadership, the Olympic Movement would reach new heights in its development.

Gao also emphasized the Chinese Olympic Committee's commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with the IOC and contributing to the Olympic Movement's reform and development.

Coventry, 41, secured the presidency in the first round of voting and will officially take office after June 23, succeeding Thomas Bach, who has served as president since 2013. Her presidency is set for an eight-year term, with the option to seek a four-year extension.

As the youngest of the seven candidates, Coventry's campaign emphasized modernizing the Olympic movement, enhancing youth engagement, and strengthening the role of athletes within the IOC's decision-making processes. She has also prioritized digital transformation to make the Games more accessible and relevant to younger audiences, along with sustainability efforts to ensure that the Olympic Games remain environmentally and financially viable.