A young girl who started swimming in Zimbabwe years ago could never have imagined standing here. I am very proud to be the first woman and Chairperson of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from Africa. I hope this voting result inspires many. The glass ceiling has shattered, and I will take my responsibilities seriously as a "role model."
"Zimbabwe swimming hero" Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the 10th Chairperson of the IOC. She is the first woman and person from Africa in IOC history, and at 41 years old, she becomes the youngest Chairperson. Her term lasts eight years from June 24, with the possibility of one four-year extension.
On March 20 (local time), during the 144th IOC General Assembly vote held in Costa Navarino, Greece, Coventry secured a majority with 49 out of 97 votes.
Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., a rival known as the leading candidate in pre-voting, received only 28 votes. Samaranch is the son of a former IOC Chairperson and is currently an IOC Vice Chair. He was expected to have a close competition with Coventry in this election. Another strong candidate, Sebastian Coe, the President of World Athletics from the United Kingdom, garnered only 8 votes.
This result broke the expectations that it would be difficult to overcome the male-dominant wall of the IOC. There were no female commissioners in the IOC until 1981. Furthermore, Coventry is only the second woman to run for the IOC Chairperson position. On this day, the BBC reported, "Coventry's victory in the IOC Chairperson vote sends a powerful message just a year after the Paris Olympics aimed at achieving 'gender equality' was held." It continued, "Her background and relatively young age are expected to help sustain interest in the Olympics for future generations."
7 out of 8 Olympic medals from Zimbabwe
Coventry is a representative swimmer for Zimbabwe. She first competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She won three medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics and four medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Among these, she won gold in the 200m backstroke in both 2004 and 2008. So far, seven out of the eight Olympic medals that Zimbabwe has won have been achieved by Coventry. She is also the athlete with the most Olympic medals in Africa.
Since 2012, Coventry has served as a Commissioner of the IOC and has held several important roles as an Executive Member since 2023. In September 2018, Zimbabwe President Emerson Mnangagwa appointed her as Minister of Sports. Subsequently, Coventry's career became intertwined with politics due to criticisms against President Mnangagwa, who was accused of ruthlessly suppressing freedoms as the successor to dictator Robert Mugabe. In 2020, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned Zimbabwe from hosting all international matches due to the extremely poor conditions of its stadiums. In 2022, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) also prohibited Zimbabwe from hosting international matches due to governmental interference in match operations. During her term, Coventry could not escape criticism as a Minister.
Some have raised questions about whether Coventry is suitable to lead the IOC for these reasons. In an interview with the BBC last February, Coventry stated, "I had to navigate very sensitive issues, so the IOC has gained solid armor to prepare for what lies ahead." She noted that she would be able to deal with difficult leaders with differing opinions, and it is known that IOC members do not worry about her close ties to the Zimbabwean government.
Top priorities are 'strengthening women's sports' and 'resolving gender eligibility issues'
During her eight-year term, the next IOC Chairperson, Coventry, will face various challenges.
The top priority is the issue of protecting women's sports. There was controversy last year when Algerian Imane Khalif and Taiwan's Lin Yuting won gold medals in women's boxing at the Paris Olympics, causing a 'gender controversy.' The IOC has the task of formulating policies regarding this matter.
Before the elections, Coventry promised to "completely ban transgender women from participating in Olympic women's competitions," asserting that she would prioritize protecting female athletes and ensuring fairness and safety. Critics have pointed out that she had been a member of the IOC Executive Board, as it was the IOC that allowed boxing athletes who failed gender eligibility tests to participate in the women's competition at the Paris Olympics. At that time, the IOC raised questions about the reliability of gender eligibility tests, as these athletes claimed to be women. This controversy led to a rigorous investigation into the organization's rules and almost put the Olympics in a crisis.
In her declaration as IOC Chairperson, Coventry emphasized, "I will make (sports) a bridge between nations and cultures, a source of hope, and a force for good," stating that she would enhance women's sports by protecting female athletes and providing equal opportunities for women in relation to addressing inequalities in sports.
The eligibility of Russian athletes banned after the invasion of Ukraine to participate in the Olympics, as well as building relationships with U.S. President Donald Trump before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, are also major challenges. Coventry emphasized, "I have worked with 'difficult male power brokers' since my 20s," and pledged to uphold the IOC's core values of solidarity and universality.
In addition, addressing doping issues and ensuring that the Olympics maintain significance in the rapidly changing media and entertainment environment are also important tasks.
Africans expect that Coventry's election as IOC Chairperson will increase the likelihood of hosting the Olympics in Africa for the first time. South Africa, which has expressed its intention to host the Olympics, is expected to compete with India and the Middle East for the 2036 Games. Michael Payne, former IOC marketing director, also stated in an interview with the BBC on March 21, "Coventry's becoming the next IOC Chairperson will enhance Africa's influence in global sports."
Coventry stated, "The IOC and Olympic sports have connected generations because they bring people together, and diversity is how we connect with each other." She added, "In today's world, this will become the largest platform to show the goodwill of humanity and share our values."
Plus Point
Women leaders who have broken the glass ceiling in international organizations
Women leaders breaking the 'glass ceiling' continue to appear even in male-dominated international organizations.
Coventry is just one example. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), from Nigeria, became the first woman and person from Africa to take office in March 2021. She is an economist who rose to the position of Vice President during 25 years at the World Bank. She has served twice as Nigeria's Minister of Finance and was the first female Foreign Minister of Nigeria. In 2014, she was also listed among "the 100 most influential people in the world" by Time.
Despite predictions that Okonjo-Iweala would face challenges in her reappointment due to her opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist policies, she was reappointed as the WTO Director-General in November of last year. The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is also a woman from Bulgaria, Kristalina Georgieva. She previously served as Deputy Director-General of the European Commission and as CEO of the World Bank.
Audrey Azoulay, who has been serving as UNESCO Director-General since November 2017, previously held the position of France's Minister of Culture. Upon taking office, she stated, "I will prioritize Africa and women's issues, and cooperation among member countries is important in the face of political and financial challenges, so I will strive for smooth communication."
Additionally, Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Catherine Russell, the Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), are also leading international organizations as women leaders.