<p>Winds of change is happening at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with Kirsty Coventry taking over as its new chief.</p><p>For the records, the Zimbabwean becomes the first woman and first African to lead the IOC. </p><p>The 41-year-old -- a former Olympic swimming champion from Zimbabwe and Africa's most decorated Olympian -- was elected to the post in March, succeeding Thomas Bach. </p>.Coventry becomes first woman and first African to lead International Olympic Committee.<p>She formally assumed office following the handover ceremony in IOC headquarters in Lausanne on June 23. </p><p>Kirsty, who is also Zimbabwe's sports minister, brings a wealth of experience as an athlete as well as an administrator to the IOC top job.</p><p>Kirsty started her journey from an all-girls convent school in the capital city of Harare and then moved on to establish herself as a star swimmer in Auburn University in Alabama, USA)</p><p>A seven-time Olympic medalist, Kristy shot to fame by winning back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2008 in the 200M backstroke. </p><p>She was nicknamed Zimbabwe's “Golden Girl”. Her last appearance in Olympics was the 2016 Rio Games.</p><p>To reward her accomplishments, the Mugabe government presented her with a diplomatic passport and $100,000 for her swimming achievements.</p><p>After the 2017 coup that ousted Mugabe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed Kirsty as a minister. She was then reappointed as minister of sports in 2023.</p><p>Between 2018 and 2021 she was the athlete representative on the IOC executive board under predecessor Bach who himself hand-picked her for the position.</p><p>A champion of sport development in Africa, Kristy has pledged to expand Olympic participation and ensure the Games remain relevant to younger generations.</p><p>With the new position comes great responsibility, Kirsty will be expected to take into consideration the ongoing global scenario and make appropriate decisions. The political uncertainties and global conflicts will force her to do a lot more than administering only world sports.</p><p>(With inputs from Agencies)</p>
<p>Winds of change is happening at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with Kirsty Coventry taking over as its new chief.</p><p>For the records, the Zimbabwean becomes the first woman and first African to lead the IOC. </p><p>The 41-year-old -- a former Olympic swimming champion from Zimbabwe and Africa's most decorated Olympian -- was elected to the post in March, succeeding Thomas Bach. </p>.Coventry becomes first woman and first African to lead International Olympic Committee.<p>She formally assumed office following the handover ceremony in IOC headquarters in Lausanne on June 23. </p><p>Kirsty, who is also Zimbabwe's sports minister, brings a wealth of experience as an athlete as well as an administrator to the IOC top job.</p><p>Kirsty started her journey from an all-girls convent school in the capital city of Harare and then moved on to establish herself as a star swimmer in Auburn University in Alabama, USA)</p><p>A seven-time Olympic medalist, Kristy shot to fame by winning back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2008 in the 200M backstroke. </p><p>She was nicknamed Zimbabwe's “Golden Girl”. Her last appearance in Olympics was the 2016 Rio Games.</p><p>To reward her accomplishments, the Mugabe government presented her with a diplomatic passport and $100,000 for her swimming achievements.</p><p>After the 2017 coup that ousted Mugabe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed Kirsty as a minister. She was then reappointed as minister of sports in 2023.</p><p>Between 2018 and 2021 she was the athlete representative on the IOC executive board under predecessor Bach who himself hand-picked her for the position.</p><p>A champion of sport development in Africa, Kristy has pledged to expand Olympic participation and ensure the Games remain relevant to younger generations.</p><p>With the new position comes great responsibility, Kirsty will be expected to take into consideration the ongoing global scenario and make appropriate decisions. The political uncertainties and global conflicts will force her to do a lot more than administering only world sports.</p><p>(With inputs from Agencies)</p>
