KEY POINTS
- Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry is running to become the first female president of the IOC.
- Coventry, an Olympic gold medalist, is one of seven candidates for the role.
- The IOC will elect a new president in March next year after Thomas Bach’s tenure ends.
Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe’s Olympic gold medalist and a serving Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture, is seeking to become the first female president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Global contenders for the IOC presidency
According to a report by New Zimbabwe, Coventry is a former Olympic swimmer and world record holder, one of seven candidates considered for the IOC’s top position, along with Britain’s 1500m two-time Olympic champion Lord Coe, Spain’s Juan Antonio Samarach, Jordan’s Prince Feisal al Hussein, Sweden’s Johan Eliasch, Japan’s Wanari Wanatabe, and France’s David Lappartient.
March election to determine new IOC president
The IOC will elect a new president in March of next year, as Thomas Bach’s tenure expires. If elected, Coventry will become the first female athlete and the first African to hold the position.
Europeans have dominated the IOC’s leadership role, holding eight of the nine positions, with the remaining one held by the United States.
