On March 20, 2025, Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe's Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was elected as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece. This historic election marks the first time a woman and an African has assumed the presidency in the IOC's 131-year history.

Coventry secured an immediate overall majority in the first round of the secret ballot, receiving 49 out of 97 votes. Her closest competitor, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., garnered 28 votes, while Sebastian Coe received eight. The election was conducted at a luxurious seaside resort in Greece's southwestern Peloponnese.

Born on September 16, 1983, in Harare, Zimbabwe, Coventry is the most decorated Olympian from Africa, having won seven Olympic medals. She competed in five consecutive Olympic Games from 2000 to 2016. At the 2004 Athens Olympics, she won three medals: gold in the 200-meter backstroke, silver in the 100-meter backstroke, and bronze in the 200-meter individual medley. She successfully defended her 200-meter backstroke title at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she also set a world record.

Coventry attended Auburn University in Alabama, USA, where she was instrumental in leading the Tigers to NCAA Championships in 2003 and 2004. She graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

In 2012, Coventry was elected to the IOC Athletes' Commission, serving as Chairperson from 2018. She has also been involved with the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Surfing Association. In 2018, she was appointed as Zimbabwe's Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, a position she held until March 2025.

Coventry's election is seen as a significant step toward greater diversity and inclusion within the Olympic movement. Her background as an accomplished athlete and her experience in sports administration are expected to influence her leadership approach.

As the first African to lead the IOC, her presidency is anticipated to bring increased attention to the continent's role in global sports. This could potentially lead to more African nations hosting international sporting events and greater investment in sports infrastructure across the continent.

Coventry will officially succeed outgoing President Thomas Bach on June 23, 2025, and will serve an initial eight-year term. She faces several challenges, including managing the rising costs of hosting the Olympics, navigating geopolitical tensions, and adapting to changes in global sports governance.

Additionally, she will need to address policies on transgender athletes, Russia’s potential re-entry to competitions post-doping bans, and managing the future of the IOC business model amid a shifting media landscape.

In her acceptance speech, Coventry expressed her commitment to leading the organization with pride and upholding its core values. She emphasized the importance of inclusivity and unity within the Olympic movement.

Outgoing President Thomas Bach supported her candidacy, promoting her as his successor.

This election marks the first time a woman and an African has assumed the presidency in the IOC's 131-year history. Coventry is also the youngest individual to hold the position since Pierre de Coubertin.

Coventry's election represents a transformative moment for the IOC, signaling a commitment to diversity and a fresh perspective in its leadership. Her unique blend of athletic excellence and administrative experience positions her to navigate the complex challenges facing the Olympic movement in the years ahead.