Kirsty Coventrycio is the new president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC): the 41-year-old former Zimbabwean swimmer has made history by becoming the first woman and the first African to lead the institution that governs global sport.
Coventry, Zimbabwe's current Minister of Sport, boasts an extraordinary track record: two Olympic gold medals in the 200m backstroke, won in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, as well as four silver medals and a bronze at the Games. Considered the favorite of outgoing President Thomas Bach, she surprised everyone by winning in the first round of voting at the IOC Assembly, currently underway in Costa Navarino, in Greece, exceeding the quorum of 49 preferences.
"I am particularly proud to be the first woman and the first African to lead the IOC. Today we broke a glass ceiling.", she declared emotionally after the election. "I hope this moment can inspire many people. I am aware of the responsibility that this role entails and I will do my best to honor it".
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