Kirsty Coventry Elected as First Female President of the International Olympic Committee

Zimbabwean swimming legend Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the first female president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in its 130-year history. The seven-time Olympic medalist secured the position in a single round of voting, garnering 49 out of 97 votes to succeed Thomas Bach. Coventry's victory signals a move towards diversity within the IOC, as she is also the first African to hold the presidential role. She aims to unite candidates and focus on athlete rights, gender equality, and the Games' sustainability. While her election was widely supported, her ties to the Zimbabwean government, where she serves as Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation, have raised concerns due to the country's history with political freedoms and sanctions.