Kirsty Coventry

Kirsty Coventry is a Zimbabwean former Olympic swimmer and politician who became president of the International Olympic Committee in 2025.

International Olympic Committee: The international organization that governs the Olympic Movement and organizes the Olympic Games. Coventry became its president in 2025, the first woman and first African to hold the office.
Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics: The swimming competitions held at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Coventry won three medals in Athens, including gold in the 200-metre backstroke.
IOC presidential election: The election by the International Olympic Committee’s members of the organization’s president. Coventry won the 2025 election in the first round with 49 votes.
Women in Olympic leadership: The participation and representation of women in leadership roles across Olympic organizations. Coventry became the first woman to serve as IOC president.
Thomas Bach: A German former fencer who served as president of the International Olympic Committee from 2013 to 2025. He preceded Coventry as IOC president and supported her presidential candidacy.
Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics: The swimming competitions held at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. She won four medals in Beijing, including gold in the 200-metre backstroke.
International Olympic Committee Session: A meeting of IOC members that serves as the organization’s supreme decision-making body. IOC members elected Coventry during the 144th Session in Greece.
African representation in international sport: The presence and influence of African people and institutions in international sporting organizations. Coventry became the first African elected to lead the IOC.
Zimbabwe Olympic Committee: The national Olympic committee responsible for representing Zimbabwe in the Olympic Movement. Coventry led Zimbabwe’s national Olympic committee before entering international Olympic leadership.
200-metre backstroke: A swimming race covering 200 metres while competitors use the backstroke technique. Coventry won Olympic gold in this event in both 2004 and 2008.

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