Kirsty Coventry, a former elite swimmer, stands as the sole female candidate vying to take over from IOC President Thomas Bach.
Kirsty Coventry will create a historic moment in sports if she gets elected. leader of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) At its General Assembly on Thursday (March 20, 2025), she will become the first female leader and the first individual from Africa to helm the IOC.
She would also become the youngest person to hold this position since Pierre de Coubertin, who is known as the founder of the modern Olympic Games. De Coubertin established the IOC in 1894 and became its president two years thereafter at just 33 years old.
Coventry, a 41-year-old ex-world-class swimmer hailing from Zimbabwe, has consistently exhibited a formidable resolve and clear foresight.
"When I was nine years old, I shared with my father that I dreamed of participating in the Olympics and winning a gold medal. He acknowledged that the path would be challenging, emphasizing how tough it is merely to secure a spot on the Olympic team, not to mention winning a medal. Nonetheless, he expressed his belief in me," she posted on Facebook some time back.
The most accomplished female Olympic athlete from Africa
When she was 20 years old, she fulfilled her aspirations. During the 2004 games held in Athens, Coventry secured the top prize for the women’s 200-meter backstroke event. She repeated this feat eight years after her initial victory during the 2008 competition in Beijing. Along with these two golden achievements, she garnered an additional four silver medals and one bronze medal at various Olympic events. These accomplishments make Coventry stand out as the leading female athlete from Africa across the history of the Olympics. Only long-distance runner Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia surpasses her record among Africans; Dibaba claimed three golds along with two bronzes throughout her career.
"I have participated in five Olympic Games, earned seven individual Olympic medals, set numerous world records, and enjoyed one of the most successful World Championship careers ever," Coventry stated on her LinkedIn profile.
Uniting a troubled nation
Nevertheless, all these factors pale in comparison to the impact this achievement has had and could continue having on others. It brought unity to my nation, which was being hamstrung by divisions stemming from economic and political upheaval, and it instilled hope in individuals who believed their situations barred them from pursuing their aspirations.
While still an active swimmer, Coventry was elected to the IOC Athletes' Commission in 2013. She represented the interests of athletes for eight years, including three years as chairperson. More recently, she has been a member of the IOC Executive Board.
An African Olympic host?
The growing prominence of Zimbabwe has sparked optimism across Africa that the continent might host the Summer Olympics for the first time ever.
Despite expressions of interest from South Africa and Egypt, Coventry has downplayed these expectations.
"There is an interest, and now we must make sure to work closely with all these countries that are eager, ensuring they completely grasp the significance of the Olympic Games," she stated.
Coventry stated during a Q&A event hosted by the Association of International Sports Journalists (AIPS) that African nations should “take a strategic approach from the perspective of the African Union to see how we can enhance our infrastructure via the All Africa Games, which could subsequently support a bid for hosting the Olympics.”
Coventry understands firsthand the challenges these political processes entail. Having served as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Sports since 2018, she mentions that her experiences have made her “certainly more resilient” compared to her days as an athlete.
Diplomatic on controversial issues
When questioned about her stance on allowing trans women to participate in female-only competitions, she avoided giving a direct answer.
Absolutely, finding a solution is essential," Coventry stated. "In my view, we at the IOC should assume somewhat more of a leadership position.
The Zimbabwean also steered clear of taking an extreme stance on another sensitive issue leading up to the IOC election: the potential participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Olympics.
“I believe that above all else, our primary responsibility as the IOC is to guarantee that every athlete has the opportunity to compete in the Games,” she stated. “This will require varied approaches for numerous athletes; however, ultimately, I feel that we must develop an inclusive method to address the challenges faced by those competing from conflicted regions.”
Given her experience representing Zimbabwe during a period marked by national political upheaval and global economic restrictions, she shared her thoughts.
It would have been simple for the global community to exclude us from participating. When I reflect on this, I wonder how different my life might be now. I feel thankful that I wasn’t burdened with responsibility for the actions of our leaders and administrations.
There is much work to be done in the fight for equality.
Kirsty Coventry isn't just a sports administrator and politician; she is also a parent. She welcomed her second daughter into the world fewer than six months ago. Her first child is six years of age.
"When she reached her first birthday, she had already visited 10 distinct countries across the globe," Coventry mentioned.
I benefit from a remarkable circle of support provided by my spouse and relatives. This has become our standard way of living. I believe this demonstrates effectively that women possess equal capabilities to men, despite often being tasked with roles such as full-time mothers, wives, daughters, and more.
There is still considerable work ahead, and I am enthusiastic about spearheading this initiative for gender equality," Coventry stated. "Women are prepared to take charge. I see this as a chance to break down barriers so that by the time my two daughters mature, they won’t face these limitations.
The article was initially published in German.
Edited by: Jonathan Harding
Author: Stefan Nestler