Kirsty Coventry, the first female and first African president of the International Olympic Committee, was inaugurated on Monday on the organization’s 131st anniversary. Coventry, a two-time Olympic swimming gold medallist for Zimbabwe, took office after defeating seven other candidates in a decisive election in March, succeeding Thomas Bach.
Coventry, whose life has been deeply rooted in the Olympic movement, is expected to lead with courage and a desire to give back to the movement that has shaped her life. Bach, an Olympic team fencing champion from 1976, will step down after serving the maximum term of 12 years.
At the formal handover ceremony at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, Coventry presented Bach with the Olympic Order in gold. Coventry extended her gratitude to the over 700 guests who were in attendance, including IOC members, athletes, diplomatic and political leaders.
She expressed her excitement about the journey that lies ahead, stating that she has the best team to support her and the Olympic movement over the next eight years. Coventry will lead the IOC through the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
The inaugural ceremony took place on Olympic Day, which marks the founding of the modern version of the Games in 1894.
Source: http://www.africanews.com/2025/06/24/history-made-as-kirsty-coventry-takes-over-as-head-of-the-ioc/
