Kirsty Coventry Elected as the 10th IOC President
at 144th IOC Session in Greece

In a landmark moment for the Olympic Movement, Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the 144th IOC Session held in Costa Navarino, Greece. Coventry’s election is historic as she becomes the first woman and the first African to hold this prestigious position.

IOC President Election 2025. Picture Courtesy : IOC

The election, which took place on March 20, 2025, Kirsty Coventry garnered overwhelming support from IOC members, securing victory in the first round. She emerged as the preferred candidate among a competitive field that included Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Lord Sebastian Coe, and Morinari Watanabe.

Kirsty Coventry Elected as the 10th IOC President. Picture Courtesy : IOC — Kirsty Coventry Elected as the 10th IOC President.
Picture Courtesy : IOC

At 41, Kirsty Coventry is widely regarded as one of the greatest Olympic swimmers of all time. She won two gold medals in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Games. Beyond her sporting achievements, Coventry has been actively involved in sports administration. She has served as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation since 2018 and previously chaired the IOC Athletes’ Commission (CNN, 2025).

In her acceptance speech, Coventry reaffirmed her commitment to enhancing diversity and unity within the Olympic Movement. She highlighted the need to make sports “a bridge between countries and cultures, a source of hope, and a force for good.” She also emphasized the importance of fostering equal opportunities for women in sports administration and competition (Al Jazeera, 2025).

On behalf of the Bhutan Olympic Committee, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to President-elect Kirsty Coventry. Her election is a significant step toward fostering inclusivity and ensuring greater representation in global sports governance. Bhutan looks forward to working under her leadership to promote the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect.

Kirsty Coventry will officially assume office on June 24, 2025, succeeding Thomas Bach, who has served as IOC President for 12 years. Her presidency marks a new era for the IOC, reflecting a commitment to evolution, diversity, and a progressive future for the Olympic Movement.