Behind the closed doors inside the resort in Western Greece, members of the International Olympic Committee elected the first president of the largest global sports organization on Thursday.
Kirsty Coventry will become the tenth president of the MOO after members of all over the world have given their secret voting and wrote a 41-year-old in the first vote. In June, she will replace the departure President Thomas Bach, who has held the job since 2013.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to be elected president of the International Olympic Committee. I want to sincerely thank my colleagues for their confidence and support,” said Coventry, who receives an eight -year term in 2033.
“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe could never dream of this moment.
Coventry was a sevenfold medal in the Zimbabwe pool during five Olympic Games, which recently competed in Rio in 2016. She was twice the Olympic champion in a distance of 200 meters.
‘We had some work together’
In addition to being the first female president, she will be the second youngest to run the organization and the first in Africa.
“I will do you all very, very proud and hopefully extremely confident in the decision you made,” Coventry said in her accepting speech. “We now have some work together.”
The victory of Coventry was also a victory for Bach, who has long been considered to be promoted as his successor. He did not use his right to vote.
“Congratulations to Kirsty Coventry on the election as the tenth president of the MOO,” he said. “I warmly welcome the decision of MOO members -I look forward to strong cooperation, especially during the transitional period. There is no doubt that the future for our Olympic Movement is bright and that the values we advocate will continue to lead us through the years to come.”
Walking to the podium, he congratulated her and kissed both cheeks Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., who was her closest rival in voting.
There were also four presidents of sports management bodies in the race: the Sebastian Coe trail and terrain, Johan Eliasch skiing, cycling David Lappartient and Morinari Watanabe Gymnastics. He was also contrary to Jordan Prince Feisal Al Hussein.
Coventry will officially replace his mentor Bach on June 23-Olympic Olympic Dan-like MOO President in his 131-year history. Bach has reached a maximum of 12 years in power.
The key challenges for Coventry will be aiming for the Olympic movement with political and sports issues to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, including graduating with US President Donald Trump.
IOC Coventry will also have to find the host for the 2036 summer games that could go to India or the Middle East.
