Zimbabwe’s sports minister, Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The 41-year-old former swimmer, who won two Olympic gold medals, replaces German Thomas Bach, who had held the role since 2013.
Kirsty Coventry becomes the first woman, the first African and the youngest person to hold the role.
World Athletics boss Lord Coe was favourite to win Thursday’s election in Greece, but Coventry secured an absolute majority in the first round of voting.
Coventry, who already sits on the IOC executive board, is the 10th person to hold the highest office in sport and be in post for at least the next eight years.
Coventry has won seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals – including gold in the 200m backstroke at both the 2004 and 2008 Games.
Ms. Coventry, faces urgent issues including the rights of transgender athletes and the challenges posed by the climate crisis.
She was elected after the first round of secret voting by the International Olympic Committee’s membership.
Speaking after, she said :
“As a 9-year-old girl, I never thought that I would be standing up here one day getting to give back to this incredible movement of ours.
“This is not just a huge honor, but it is a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you that I will lead this organization with so much pride, with the values at the core. And I will make all of you very, very proud.”. (NYT/vitalnewsngr.com)
