Next IOC head Coventry hailed by NNOC

Governance
For the first time in its 130-year history, the IOC will be led by a female and an African.
Mariud Ngula
  • 2 Days Ago
Zimbabwe’s former swimming legend Kirsty Coventry (41) last week made history as the first African, the first female and the youngest person to be elected as the 10th president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for an eight-year term, effective on Olympic Day, 23 June.

According to the IOC website, the two-time Olympic medalist and Zimbabwe’s sports minister was elected following the first round of voting at the 114th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, on Thursday.

Coventry was chosen over fellow presidential candidates HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein (Jordania), David Lappartient (France), Johan Eliasch (Sweden), Juan Antonio Samaranch (Spain), Lord Sebastian Coe (UK) and Morinari Watanabe (Japan).



Second athlete-turned-president

Having joined the IOC in 2013 and having held several significant roles within the committee, she will take over from the first athlete-turned-president and Olympic team foil champion (1976), Thomas Bach from Germany, who served from 2013.

Sky News reported that her first Games in charge will be the Winter Olympics hosted by Italy in Milan and Cortina in 2026, followed by the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028.

“The 41-year-old minister of sport has long been seen as the preferred successor to the outgoing (German) IOC president Thomas Bach and had his support. Her manifesto offered almost complete continuity with his policies,” the website read.



Most decorated Zimbabwean athlete

Zimbabwe’s most decorated Olympian made her Olympic debut in 2000 and went on to win seven of the country’s eight Olympic medals. She won two gold medals in the 200m backstroke (2004 and 2008), accumulating seven medals across these competitions.

In her acceptance speech, Coventry said: “As a nine-year-old girl, I never thought I would be standing up here one day, getting to give back to this incredible movement of ours.

“This is a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you, that I will lead this organisation with so much pride, with the values at the core, and I will make all of you very proud.”



Namibia celebrates her historic win

On its Facebook page, the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) extended its heartfelt congratulations to Coventry on her historic election.

NNOC president Dr Ndeulipula Hamutumwa called her election a defining moment for sports, indicating that having an African at the helm ensures that the continent’s sporting challenges and opportunities will be represented.

“This is a proud moment for Africa. With Coventry’s leadership, we anticipate more investment in sports development that will benefit the entire continent. Her victory sends a strong message that African leaders are ready to take on global roles and shape the future of sport,” Hamutumwa said.

He further added: “Her achievement is historic, just as we have seen in Namibia with our first female head of state. It highlights the growing representation of women in leadership, inspiring young girls across Africa to believe that they too can lead at the highest levels.”

• On her Facebook account, NNOC vice-president and three-time Olympian clay target shooter Gaby Ahrens said she first met Coventry in 2018 when the latter visited the country to support the Namibian Athletes Commission.

“From that moment, you left a lasting impact on my journey. The guidance and encouragement you have given me over the years have always been a source of strength and inspiration. Thank you for your bravery, your kindness and most of all, the hope you have given to so many women,” the post read.

– mariud@nsh.com.na