Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry left shattered glass ceilings in her slipstream as she swept to an unexpected landslide victory in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidency elections.

Moments after Coventry was elected the 10th President of the IOC, she told the audience at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, on Thursday: “I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Today glass ceilings were shattered, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model.”

Her election to global sports' most powerful position marks a significant advancement in breaking glass ceilings that have historically sidelined women from leadership roles in sports. Her triumph stands as a beacon of hope for underrepresented voices in a field traditionally dominated by men.

In her acceptance speech, Coventry said: “This is an extraordinary moment. As a nine-year-old girl, I never thought I’d be standing up here one day, getting to give back to this incredible movement of ours.

“This is not just a huge honour but is a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you that I will lead this organisation with so much pride, with the values at the core. And I will make all of you very, very proud, and hopefully extremely confident in the decision that you have taken today. Now we’ve got some work together.”

The Zimbabwean’s win was as resounding as it was historic. She became the IOC’s first female and African president and will serve an eight-year term of office. The 41-year-old decorated Olympian is also the youngest IOC president this century. Pierre de Coubertin, the founding father of the modern Olympic Games became president in 1896 at the age of 33.

She has been Zimbabwe’s sports minister for the past seven years.

“I am very proud to call myself a Zimbabwean and to have grown up there, for my mum to have been born there, my grandmother,” she said.

“And to Africa (I say): this is our time.

“This is not just a personal achievement; it is a victory for all women and Africans who aspire to be in leadership roles in sports and beyond.

“I pledge to uplift the voices of the underrepresented and to advocate for greater inclusivity within the Olympic movement.”

Coventry's victory emerged after she won 49 of the 97 votes on the first ballot. It will spark conversations about diversity and representation in international sporting bodies.

The IOC, under Coventry’s leadership, will push forward on vital issues, such as gender equality in sports, athlete welfare, and the promotion of Olympic values globally.

african leadership in sports

Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry shatters glass ceilings on way to landslide IOC win