On March 20, the International Olympic Committee elected a new president and made history in the process.
Not only is Kristy Coventry the first African to hold the position; she is also the first female president in the IOC for an eight-year term.
Representing Zimbabwe, she is a two time Olympic Gold medal swimmer.
Speaking on becoming president, Coventry said, “It is a signal that we are truly global.”
She was one of seven candidates vying for the position. The 97 IOC members elected Coventry on the first ballot with 49 votes.
The summer Olympics will be coming to the United States in 2028 for another trip to Los Angeles. When asked about dealing with the White House, Coventry said, “I have been dealing with let’s say difficult,” taking a pause, “men in high positions since I was 20 years old. What I have learned is that communication will be key.”
In her acceptance speech, Coventry said, “I will make all of you very, very proud and hopefully extremely confident in the decision you have taken. Now we have got some work together.”
After congratulating Coventry, rival Juan Antonio Samaranch said, “for her to start her presidency with those numbers, it is a sign of optimism to all of us.” Receiving 28 votes, Samaranch was attempting to follow his father who was the seventh IOC president from 1980 to 2001.
Other candidates in the running for the position were Sebastian Coe, Johan Eliasch, David Lappertient, Morinari Watanabe, and Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan.
Coventry will officially take over on Olympic Day – June 23. She will be the 10th president in the IOC’s 131-year history.
The Auburn University graduate not only faces presidential life as a mother of two (one a newborn); she will have to deal with the political upheaval currently coming out of Washington as she navigates preparing and officiating the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. There is also the matter of choosing a site for the 2036 Olympics; currently India and the Middle East are top choices.
Only receiving eight votes, Sabastien Coe – also an Olympic gold medalist – spoke on Coventry’s win saying, “I’m really pleased that it is an athlete that has emerged at the head of the organization. I think that’s really important. Clearly, it’s a disappointing result, but that’s what happens when you go into an election.”
The next several Olympics will be in Italy in 2026, Los Angeles, a return to France, a return to Australia, and a return to Salt Lake City for the winter games.
At the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France the number of male and female athletes was equal. With the election of Coventry to president; there are now seven women and eight men on the IOC executive board.