Two time Olympic medallist Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the International Olympic Committee's first female President by an overwhelming majority.
The 41-year-old former swimmer and Zimbabwean sports minister will succeed outgoing President Thomas Bach who has been in office since 2013.
She beat off stiff competition from six other men to clinch the number one position in the World's wealthiest sport body.
As the new IOC president, Coventry will now be tasked with steering the Olympic Movement into a new era, overseeing future Games and addressing key challenges such as rising costs, geopolitical tensions, and the evolving landscape of global sports governance.
In addition to being the only African to have ever held the role, Coventry also makes history as the youngest person to ever occupy the position of IOC President.
She believes that funding young athletes early in their careers would help level the playing field, especially for nations with fewer resources.
In her acceptance speech, Coventry said "The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamed of this moment,".
"I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC president, and also the first from Africa."
"I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model."
Coventry becomes the tenth person to hold the IOC President position and will remain in office for at least.
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As European NATO countries rush to strengthen their armed forces, large pension bills threaten to divert funds from urgently needed military hardware.
Germany has called on India and Pakistan to avoid further escalation and protect civilians following deadly cross-border missile strikes between the two nations.
Pakistan has restored access to X months after imposing a ban following its controversial February 2024 general elections, despite earlier claims that the platform posed a national security threat.
Tensions between India and Pakistan soared after Indian airstrikes targeted sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, killing dozens and prompting threats of retaliation from Islamabad, while the UK warned that "nobody wins" if conflict escalates.
The US trade deficit reached a record $140.5 billion (€123.6 billion) in March, driven by a surge in imports, particularly pharmaceuticals, as businesses stockpiled to offset potential tariff impacts.
As European NATO countries rush to strengthen their armed forces, large pension bills threaten to divert funds from urgently needed military hardware.
Germany has called on India and Pakistan to avoid further escalation and protect civilians following deadly cross-border missile strikes between the two nations.
Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow for the third day in a row on Wednesday, disrupting air traffic at the capital’s airports just hours before Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled arrival for a high-profile visit.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
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Tensions between India and Pakistan soared after Indian airstrikes targeted sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, killing dozens and prompting threats of retaliation from Islamabad, while the UK warned that "nobody wins" if conflict escalates.
The US trade deficit reached a record $140.5 billion (€123.6 billion) in March, driven by a surge in imports, particularly pharmaceuticals, as businesses stockpiled to offset potential tariff impacts.
Germany has called on India and Pakistan to avoid further escalation and protect civilians following deadly cross-border missile strikes between the two nations.
Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow for the third day in a row on Wednesday, disrupting air traffic at the capital’s airports just hours before Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled arrival for a high-profile visit.
Pakistan has restored access to X months after imposing a ban following its controversial February 2024 general elections, despite earlier claims that the platform posed a national security threat.
Tensions between India and Pakistan soared after Indian airstrikes targeted sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, killing dozens and prompting threats of retaliation from Islamabad, while the UK warned that "nobody wins" if conflict escalates.
The US trade deficit reached a record $140.5 billion (€123.6 billion) in March, driven by a surge in imports, particularly pharmaceuticals, as businesses stockpiled to offset potential tariff impacts.
As European NATO countries rush to strengthen their armed forces, large pension bills threaten to divert funds from urgently needed military hardware.
Germany has called on India and Pakistan to avoid further escalation and protect civilians following deadly cross-border missile strikes between the two nations.
Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow for the third day in a row on Wednesday, disrupting air traffic at the capital’s airports just hours before Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled arrival for a high-profile visit.
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