Kirsty Coventry

Kirsty Coventry was elected President of the International Olympic Committee in March 2025, making history as the first female President, and also the second youngest.

From Zimbabwe, a 2 times Olympic gold medallist in swimming and a 7 times Olympic medallist, she is Africa’s most decorated Olympian. She has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 2013, and was Chair of the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission from 2018 to 2021.

Back home in Zimbabwe she has served as the country’s Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, legislating against match-fixing, abuse and sexual harassment in sport. She also set up the Kirsty Coventry Academy to teach children to swim.

Since taking over as President of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry has launched a ‘Fit for the Future’ consultation, which will focus on two main priorities for the IOC – delivering exceptional Olympic Games, and creating a better world through sport.