Coventry Eyes IOC Presidency
By Kwedu News
Zimbabwe’s Sports Minister and two-time Olympic gold medalist Kirsty Coventry is set to break barriers by becoming the first woman to vie for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidency in its 130-year history.
Coventry, who represented Zimbabwe, is competing against a formidable field of former Olympic champions, royalty, and sports federation leaders.
Other contenders for the IOC Presidency:
- Sebastian Coe, two-time Olympic gold medalist in running
- Prince Faisal Al Hussein of Jordan, IOC board member
- Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. of Spain, IOC vice president and son of former IOC president
- David Lappartient, president of cycling’s governing body
- Morinari Watanabe, gymnastics leader
- Johan Eliasch, president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation
Coventry, now 41, boasts an impressive athletic and governmental background, having served as Zimbabwe’s sports minister since 2018.
Just her candidacy for the post as an African woman is historic, being the first woman to contest the IOC presidency since Anita DeFrantz in 2001.
The election is set for Greece from the 18th to the 21st of March 2025, with the formal list of candidates officially confirmed in January.
Coventry, an IOC member since 2013, has already made her mark as chairperson of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.
As Zimbabwe’s most decorated Olympian, Coventry’s experience in sports, sports governance both in Zimbabwe and at international level and passion for sport makes her a strong contender for the IOC presidency.
