Seven-time Olympic medallist, Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe becomes International Olympic Committee (IOC) President.

Kirsty Coventry Returns to Zimbabwe as IOC’s First African President

On Mar 24, 2025

Newly elected International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry received a hero’s welcome upon her arrival in Zimbabwe on Sunday. The southern African nation, which has faced years of international isolation and sanctions, celebrated the historic achievement of one of its most decorated athletes.

A Landmark Victory for Women and Africa

At 41 years old, Coventry made history as the first woman and first African to lead the global Olympic movement. She was the only female candidate in the IOC presidency race and secured victory over six competitors in Thursday’s vote in Greece, including the heads of world track and field, international cycling, and a Jordanian royal family member.

“It’s not just my success, it is our success. We broke down barriers,” Coventry declared upon her return to Harare.

Her homecoming was met with jubilant celebrations. Dancers in animal fur kilts stomped the ground in a traditional folklore dance, accompanied by trumpets and drums. Female cricketers, young karatekas, and schoolchildren joined in cheering.

“This is not just a personal victory—it will put Zimbabwe on the global stage,” said Women Affairs Minister Monica Mutsvangwa at the welcoming ceremony.

Coventry is Zimbabwe’s greatest Olympic athlete, winning seven medals in swimming, including back-to-back 200m backstroke golds in 2004 and 2008. She retired after the 2016 Rio Olympics as the most decorated Olympian from Africa.

However, her political career has drawn scrutiny. Appointed Zimbabwe’s sports minister in 2018, Coventry faced criticism for aligning with a government accused of human rights violations. In 2020, she was further criticized for accepting a government lease on a farm seized during Zimbabwe’s controversial land reforms, though many of her past critics have since congratulated her on her IOC election.

Her leadership marks a new chapter in Olympic history, with Africa now at the helm of the world’s biggest sporting body.

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