Who is Kirsty Coventry?
Before becoming a leader, Kirsty Coventry was a star athlete. She brought home seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals! Some of her amazing achievements include:
- Winning three medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
- Winning gold in the 200m backstroke in 2004 and defending her title in 2008.
The Election
The election took place in Greece and wasn’t without a few hiccups. There were some technical issues with the voting system but after the first round, Coventry secured the win with 49 out of 97 votes. Juan Antonio Samaranch came in second with 28 votes.
Coventry’s Vision for the Future
Coventry is ready to lead the IOC with pride and a commitment to its core values. In her words, she wants to make sport:
- “A bridge between countries and cultures.”
- “A source of hope.”
- “A force for good.”
She’s also focused on making sports more fair, especially for women. She wants to “strengthen women’s sports by protecting female athletes and promoting equal opportunities.”
What’s Next?
Coventry will officially start her role on June 24th. Her first big event will be the Milan-Cortina Winter Games next year in Italy. This is a exciting time for the Olympics, and the world will be watching to see how Coventry’s leadership shapes the future of sports.
Source CNN.COM
