Zimbabwe’s sports activities minister Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the brand new president of the Worldwide Olympic Committee.
The 41-year-old former swimmer, who received two Olympic gold medals, replaces German Thomas Bach – who had held the function since 2013 – and turns into the primary girl, the primary African and the youngest individual to carry the function.
World Athletics boss Lord Coe was among the many favourites to win Thursday’s election in Greece, however Coventry secured an absolute majority of 49 of the 97 votes out there within the first spherical of voting.
Runner-up Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr received 28 votes whereas Coe secured eight.
Coventry, who already sits on the IOC government board and was mentioned to be Bach’s most popular candidate, is the tenth individual to carry the best workplace in sport and be in put up for at the very least the subsequent eight years.
Coventry has received seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals – together with gold within the 200m backstroke at each the 2004 and 2008 Video games.
“The younger woman who first began swimming in Zimbabwe all these years in the past might by no means have dreamed of this second,” mentioned Coventry, who beat six male rivals to win the vote.
“I’m significantly proud to be the primary feminine IOC president, and in addition the primary from Africa.
“I hope that this vote will probably be an inspiration to many individuals. Glass ceilings have been shattered as we speak, and I’m totally conscious of my tasks as a job mannequin.”
Throughout her election marketing campaign Coventry pledged to modernise, promote sustainability, embrace know-how and empower athletes.
She positioned explicit emphasis on defending feminine sport, backing a blanket ban of transgender ladies from competing in feminine Olympic sport.
Coventry has confronted criticism in Zimbabwe in her capability as sports activities minister since 2018, however defended her affiliation with the federal government of controversial president Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Governmental interference in soccer resulted in Fifa banning Zimbabwe from worldwide soccer in 2022, whereas final yr the USA imposed sanctions on Mnangagwa and different senior officers for corruption and human rights abuses.
