Updated: Zimbabwean becomes first African, female IOC president
Zimbabwe’s sports minister Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee.
The 41-year-old former swimmer, who won two Olympic gold medals, replaces German Thomas Bach – who had held the role since 2013 – and becomes the first woman, the first African and the youngest person to hold the role.
World Athletics boss Lord Coe was favourite to win Thursday’s election in Greece, but Coventry secured an absolute majority in the first round of voting.
Coventry, who already sits on the IOC executive board, is the 10th person to hold the highest office in sport and be in post for at least the next eight years.
Coventry has won seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals – including gold in the 200m backstroke at both the 2004 and 2008 Games.
