COSTA NAVARINO, Greece — Zimbabwean Olympic gold medalist Kirsty Coventry will make sporting history if she is elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its General Assembly this Thursday.
Coventry would be the first woman and first African to head the IOC.
She would also be the youngest since Pierre de Coubertin, the founding father of the modern Olympic Games.
The Frenchman founded the IOC in 1894 and took over the presidency two years later at the age of 33.
Coventry, a 41-year-old former world-class swimmer from Zimbabwe, is a front-runner according to multiple reports.
The election will be held during the 144th IOC Session, set to take place in Costa Navarino, Greece.
The session will mark a historic moment as the IOC elects its 10th president to succeed Thomas Bach.
The order of candidates, determined by a draw conducted in November 2024, includes HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Kirsty Coventry, Lord Sebastian Coe, and Morinari Watanabe.
Coventry expressed her excitement about returning to Greece, calling it a “very symbolic” moment. “Being back in Greece is special,” she said. “It’s where I won my first Olympic medals, and it brings back incredible memories. This country holds a significant place in my journey as an athlete and an IOC member.”
“Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with IOC members, listening to their perspectives, and understanding our shared vision for the future. My long-standing involvement in the IOC has allowed me to build strong relationships, and I remain committed to serving the Olympic Movement with integrity and dedication.”
If elected, Coventry has pledged to prioritize collaboration and engagement with key stakeholders, including IOC members, International Federations, National Olympic Committees, and sponsors.
The newly elected IOC President will serve an eight-year term, steering the organisation through the next phase of its global mission. The election will take place by secret ballot on March 20, 2025, the second full day of the IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece.
