Newly elected International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Kirsty Coventry arrived in Zimbabwe on Sunday to a jubilant reception, marking a momentous occasion for the southern African nation. Zimbabwe, which has faced years of international isolation and sanctions, celebrated the historic achievement of one of its own.
Coventry, 41, made history as the first African and first woman to be elected president of the IOC. She emerged victorious in Thursday’s election in Greece, defeating six other high-profile candidates, including the head of world athletics, the president of international cycling, and a Jordanian royal.
“This is not just my success—it is our success. We broke down barriers,” Coventry declared upon her arrival in Harare.
Her homecoming was met with traditional African folklore dances, with performers clad in animal fur kilts and headgear stomping the ground to the rhythm of trumpets and drums. Enthusiastic supporters, including female cricketers, young karatekas, and schoolchildren, cheered as they welcomed their national hero.
“This is not just a personal victory—it will put Zimbabwe on the global stage,” said Women Affairs Minister Monica Mutsvangwa during a welcoming ceremony.
A former Olympic swimmer, Coventry remains Africa’s most decorated Olympian, having won seven medals, including back-to-back golds in the 200m backstroke at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. She retired after the 2016 Rio Games and was widely revered as a unifying figure in Zimbabwe.
Her transition into politics, however, has drawn mixed reactions. Appointed as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Sport in 2018, she faced scrutiny over her association with a government frequently criticized for human rights violations and political repression. In 2020, critics accused her of benefiting from political patronage after she accepted a government lease on a farm that had been seized during Zimbabwe’s controversial land reforms.
Despite past criticism, Coventry’s election as IOC president has been widely celebrated, with many Zimbabweans expressing their pride and sending congratulatory messages.
Coventry has confirmed that she will resign from her ministerial role to relocate to Lausanne, Switzerland, where the IOC is headquartered. Her eight-year tenure at the helm of the Olympic movement will begin in June.
As she steps into her new role, Coventry will face pressing challenges, including athlete welfare, Russia’s suspension over the war in Ukraine, gender eligibility debates, and navigating relations with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Her election signals a new era for the Olympic movement, and Zimbabweans are hopeful that her leadership will bring positive change both on the global stage and at home.
