By Sports Reporter — Zimbabwean swimming icon and former Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry was on Monday officially sworn in as the 9th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), making history as the first woman and the first African to lead the global sports body.
The colourful handover ceremony took place in Lausanne, Switzerland, marking the official end of Thomas Bach’s term and the beginning of Coventry’s eight-year leadership.
Coventry was elected during the IOC’s 144th Session in March in Olympia, Greece — a historic moment not just for Zimbabwe but for Africa and the global sporting fraternity.
A two-time Olympic gold medalist and seven-time Olympic medalist, Coventry is widely regarded as Zimbabwe’s greatest-ever athlete.
Her glittering career was nurtured and celebrated during the leadership of the late President Robert Mugabe, who personally supported her development and consistently honoured her achievements.
It was under Mugabe’s government that Coventry received full state sponsorship, and was awarded national honours.
Many political analysts and sports commentators have noted that Coventry’s international ascent owes a significant debt to the groundwork laid by Mugabe’s administration, which, despite its controversial legacy in other areas, recognised and invested in sporting excellence.
Mugabe not only ensured that Coventry received state recognition but also opened doors for her international exposure and leadership.
However, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime has been quick to capitalise on her success, with state media under his administration now portraying her rise as a product of the so-called Second Republic, an attempt critics say is an effort to rebrand his increasingly unpopular leadership by associating it with global excellence.
Yet Coventry’s legacy is firmly rooted in the era of Mugabe, who championed her talent long before Mnangagwa came to power.
During her acceptance speech in Lausanne, Coventry paid tribute to her Zimbabwean roots and pledged to champion inclusivity, youth development, and transparency in global sports governance.
As the IOC’s ninth president, she now takes the reins at a pivotal time, with preparations underway for the next Olympic Games in Paris.
Coventry’s rise marks a proud moment for Zimbabwe, Africa, and women in sport — and a poignant reminder that genuine investment in talent, as exemplified by Mugabe’s early recognition of her potential, can yield global leadership.