Kirsty Coventry's historic win as the first female IOC president
Kirsty Coventry has become the first woman to head the International Olympic Committee, a historic moment for the organization. However, her election has raised controversies about the electoral process and her political career.
- Kirsty Coventry defeated six other candidates to be elected IOC president during the 144th Session in Costa Navarino.
- Controversies concern her political ties in Zimbabwe and the electoral process, which has been criticized for its lack of transparency.
- The official office transfer will take place on June 23, 2024, and her term will last eight years.
During the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Kirsty Coventry received 49 votes, exactly the number needed to secure a majority, ensuring her victory in the first round. She was the youngest candidate and the only woman among the contenders to succeed Thomas Bach. Her election is seen as a sign of progress in an organization that did not have women members until 1981. The 41-year-old is the youngest to head the IOC and the first from Africa.
The sports community's reactions to Coventry's election are generally favourable. IOC member Maja Włoszczowska expressed pride in electing the first woman to this position. A powerful message is sent to the world: women can be leaders," she emphasized. On the other hand, some are criticizing the electoral process.
Controversies after the election of the IOC chairwoman
As reported by the media before the start of the 144th IOC Session, the former swimmer had strong support from the outgoing Bach. The German denied lobbying on her behalf and emphasized that the elections were conducted fairly. However, it is noteworthy that most IOC members voting on Thursday were appointed by Bach, who has led the organization since 2013.
Following the elections, voices criticized not only the limited campaign that candidates can afford—brief presentations behind closed doors at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne in January were the only official campaign events—but also the veiled and restrictive voting process.
However, Coventry’s election received the most criticism due to her political ties in Zimbabwe. In 2008, after winning four Olympic medals in Beijing, including one gold, the then-president of the country, Robert Mugabe, whose rule was marked by brutal repression and economic ruin, called her the "golden girl" and awarded her a financial prize of $100,000. The world did not view this decision favourably, as Zimbabwe faced significant food shortages and inflation. The athlete donated part of the money to charity and tried to refrain from commenting on political matters.
However, in 2018, two years after ending her sports career, she accepted a nomination as Minister of Sport from Mugabe’s successor, the equally controversial Emmerson Mnangagwa. The current president of Zimbabwe is known as "The Crocodile" for his ruthlessness and political cunning, and he has been sanctioned for corruption and human rights abuses.
Her ties to Mnangagwa raise doubts about whether she is the right person to lead an organization like the IOC. Addressing the concerns, Coventry stated: "I don't believe you can truly effect change unless you have a seat at the table. It's not easy, but I've had incredible support. We had to address sensitive issues, which gave me extra experience. It prepared me for working with difficult leaders in the IOC who have different opinions on various topics," she said, as quoted by the BBC.
