Kirsty Coventry, the First Female IOC President, Promises to Focus on Responsibility

Kirsty Coventry, the newly elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has vowed to stay grounded and focused on responsibility as she takes the reins of the world’s most powerful sports organization. In an interview, Coventry, a Zimbabwean swimming legend, emphasized her commitment to collaboration and transparency, setting a tone for her tenure as the first female president of the IOC.

Coventry’s decision to forgo the luxurious suite at the five-star Lausanne Palace hotel, which was previously occupied by her predecessor Thomas Bach, is a reflection of her down-to-earth approach. “We won’t be staying in the Palace,” she said. “I really want my kids to grow up doing the same thing that I did, making beds and doing our chores and being kids.” This gesture has been seen as a refreshing change from the previous leadership style, which was often criticized for being elitist and out of touch.

Coventry’s election has been met with widespread support from women around the world, who see her as an inspiration and a role model. “I think I will start crying, so might have to do that another time,” she said, reflecting on the messages of support she has received. “But the sentiments were really just around: ‘Thank you; ‘You’re such an inspiration; ‘This is so incredible.’”

As she prepares to take office, Coventry has made it clear that she wants IOC members to feel free to speak their minds and share their ideas. She has invited them to stay two extra nights in Lausanne next week for a “pause and reflect workshop” to discuss their thoughts and suggestions. “The way I like to lead is with collaboration,” she said. “I like people to say: ‘Yes, I had a say and this was the direction that we went.’ That way you get a really authentic buy-in.”

Coventry’s campaign for the IOC presidency was not driven by a desire for power or prestige, but rather by a desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives. “After I was elected my husband started giggling at the breakfast table and he looked at me and he goes: ‘Do you realise you’re the most powerful person in sport?’” she said. “And I was like: ‘What are you talking about?’ For me, it’s not about the title. It wasn’t about power. Sometimes those things get in the way and they make you focus on maybe the wrong things. It’s just not who I am.”

As Coventry takes the reins of the IOC, she faces a number of significant challenges, including issues related to doping, corruption, and human rights. However, she is confident that she has the skills and experience to tackle these problems and lead the organization towards a brighter future. “I’m very proud we have elected our first female president,” she said. “And I’m going to do my best to ensure that it’s a successful journey.”