Kirsty Coventry elected IOC President

Members of the International Olympic Committee elected a new president at the 144th IOC session in Greece.

Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe won the vote and elected today as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Coventry is the first female President in IOC history. This following one round of voting at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece.

The 41-year-old Zimbabwean chosen in a secret ballot of seven candidates at the 144th IOC Session being held in Costa Navarino, Greece, on Thursday (20 March). Her presidency will stand for an eight-year term of office.

President-elect Coventry replaces outgoing President Thomas Bach, elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2021.

Kirsty Coventry, as well as being the first woman she is also the first African to lead the world’s wealthiest multi-sport organisation in its 130-year history.

President-elect Coventry said: “I am incredibly honoured and excited to be elected as President of the International Olympic Committee! I want to sincerely thank my fellow members for their trust and support”.

The contest narrowed to three of the seven candidates. IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch and a pair of two-time Olympic gold medalists, Sebastian Coe and Kirsty Coventry.

It was success or Kirsty coventry.