Kirsty Coventry was elected as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday, making history as the first woman to hold the position.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist was chosen during a secret ballot held at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, securing 49 out of 97 votes in the first round.
Coventry, 41, triumphed over several other high-profile candidates, including HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Lord Sebastian Coe, and David Lappartient.
She will take office on June 23, succeeding Thomas Bach, who has held the presidency since 2013.
In her address following the election, Coventry expressed deep pride in becoming both the first female and African to lead the IOC.
She shared her excitement and gratitude, reflecting on her journey from swimming in Zimbabwe to the IOC presidency.
Coventry emphasized her commitment to uniting the global Olympic community and harnessing the power of sport to inspire and create opportunities for all.
As the new IOC President, she is determined to continue building on the foundations of the Olympic Movement while embracing innovation and upholding the values of friendship, excellence, and respect.
