IOC Elect New President During 104th Session

Kirsty Coventry has made history by being elected as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), securing an eight-year term during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, on 20 March.

The 41-year-old Zimbabwean triumphed over six other candidates in a secret ballot and garnered 49 votes out of 97 cast, attaining the majority needed for selection.

Commenting on her appointment, Coventry, said: “This is an extraordinary moment. As a nine-year-old girl I never thought I’d be standing up here one day, getting to give back to this incredible Movement of ours.”

“This is not just a huge honour but it is a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you that I will lead this organisation with so much pride, with the Values at the core. And I will make all of you very, very proud, and hopefully extremely confident in the decision that you have taken today. Now we’ve got some work together. This race was an incredible race and it made us better, made us a stronger Movement,” she said.

Outgoing president, Thomas Bach, added: “Congratulations to Kirsty Coventry on her election as the 10th IOC President. I warmly welcome the decision of the IOC Members and look forward to strong cooperation, particularly during the transition period. There is no doubt that the future for our Olympic Movement is bright and that the values we stand for will continue to guide us through the years to come.”

Coventry’s election comes as she prepares to take the reins from the outgoing President, Thomas Bach, who has held the position since 2013.

Bach was re-elected in 2021 and will step down on Olympic Day, 23 June, after which he will no longer serve as an IOC Member but transition to the role of honorary president.

As president-elect, Coventry is set to oversee her inaugural Olympic event, the Winter Games in Milano Cortina 2026, with just under 11 months remaining until the Opening Ceremony.

Her leadership is anticipated to steer the IOC into a new era, as she navigates the complexities of modernising the Olympic movement while addressing pressing issues in sports governance and global engagement.

Don’t miss out on the latest in sports business – Subscribe today to the free Ministry of Sport newsletter and stay ahead of the game. For even more exclusive insights, event tickets, professional development and networking events, become a MoS Member today!