Kirsty Coventry made history Monday as she was inaugurated as the first woman and first African president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the organization’s 131st anniversary, with tributes declaring the Olympic movement is “in the best of hands.”
The 41-year-old, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming for Zimbabwe, will officially assume office Tuesday after winning a decisive seven-candidate election in March to succeed Thomas Bach.
Former IOC President Thomas Bach (R) and new President Kirsty Coventry pose with a symbolic IOC key during the inauguration ceremony at the IOC headquarters, Lausanne, Switzerland, June 23, 2025. (Reuters Photo)
Coventry, a mother of two, credited her family, especially her young daughters, as “my rocks, my inspiration” as she prepares to lead the IOC through the next eight years, including the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
“You are my constant reminders of why we do what we do every single day,” Coventry said, addressing 6-year-old Ella, seated near the front of the ceremony.
