Zimbabwe’s sports minister, Kirsty Coventry has been voted as the new president of the International Olympic Committee, becoming the first woman and African to hold the position.
The 41-year-old former swimmer, who has two Olympic gold medals, will succeed Thomas Bach, who has led the IOC since 2013, becoming the organisation’s youngest president in its 130-year existence.
Lord Coe, the head of World Athletics, was one of the favourites to win Thursday’s Greek election, but Coventry won with 49 of the 97 possible votes in the first round.
Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. took second place with 28 votes, while Coe received eight.
France’s David Lappartient and Japan’s Morinari Watanabe both received four votes, while Jordan’s Prince Feisal al Hussein and Sweden’s Johan Eliasch received two.
Coventry, who is already a member of the IOC executive board is the tenth person to hold the sport’s top office and will serve for at least the next eight years.
Coventry has won seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals, including gold in the 200m backstroke at the 2004 and 2008 games.
“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamed of this moment,” said Coventry.
“I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC president, and also the first from Africa.”
“I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model.”
