Kirsty Coventry was elected President of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday and became the first woman and first African to get perhaps the biggest job in world sports.
“It is a signal that we are truly global,” the Zimbabwe sports minister and two-time Olympic swimming gold medalist said.
Coventry’s election was the result of a stunning first-round win in the seven-candidate contest after voting by 97 IOC members.
She gets an eight-year mandate into 2033 aged just 41 – youthful by the historical standards of the IOC – with a likely early test in meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump about the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Coventry was asked at a news conference about going to the White House.
“I have been dealing with let’s say difficult,” taking a pause, “men in high positions since I was 20 years old. What I have learned is that communication will be key,” she said.
It was the most open and hard-to-call IOC Presidential election in decades with Coventry expected to lead the first round short of an absolute majority. Though several rounds of votes were widely predicted, she got the exact majority of 49 needed.
Coventry’s win also was a victory for outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach, who has long been seen as promoting her as his successor. He did not use his right to vote.
“I will make all of you very, very proud and hopefully extremely confident in the decision you have taken,” Coventry said in her acceptance speech. “Now we have got some work together.”
Walking to the podium, she was congratulated and kissed on both cheeks by Juan Antonio Samaranch, her expected closest rival who got 28 votes.
“For her to start her presidency with those numbers, it is a sign of optimism to all of us,” Samaranch said. “We will all be behind her.”
Also in the race were four Presidents of sports governing bodies: Track and field’s Sebastian Coe, skiing’s Johan Eliasch, cycling’s David Lappartient, and gymnastics’ Morinari Watanabe. Also contending was Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan.
Coventry will formally replace her mentor Bach at a June 23 handover – officially Olympic Day – as the 10th IOC President in its 131-year history. Bach reached the maximum 12 years in office.
