“Now we have got some work together.”
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Kirsty Coventry
Kirsty Leigh Coventry Seward is a Zimbabwean politician, sports administrator, and former competitive swimmer who is the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). She has served as the president of the IOC since 23 June 2025, and is the first woman, first Zimbabwean, and the first African to hold the office, while also only the second non-European president of the IOC, following Aver…
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politics · President of the IOC since 2025 · swimmer · politician · sports official · also Kirsty Coventry, Kirsty Leigh Coventry Seward, Kirsty Leigh Coventry, Coventry
Born 16 September 1983 · Q274009
44 published statements · 0 followers
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Everyone at home is so supportive. People recognise me, say how proud they are of me. It's awesome to hear, it's amazing to know I can touch so many people in a positive way.
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2026· 14 entries
“s David Lappartient and Japan”
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“The IOC and the Olympic movement have lasted so many generations because it brings people together and the diversity is a unifying way for us to connect with each other.”
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“Everyone at home is so supportive. People recognise me, say how proud they are of me. It's awesome to hear, it's amazing to know I can touch so many people in a positive way.”
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“Everyone there including President Mugabe knows something needs to change because so many people are hurting.”
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“I have always stayed out of politics, I don't believe it would be appropriate to talk about it.”
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“There are younger, stronger swimmers coming up and they are hungry. I can't influence what they do, I only know what I can do and I know how greedy I am to defend my title.”
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“in athletics, older runners tend to go for longer races, but it's the opposite in swimming because your body can't handle the endurance.”
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“is much harder to retain your position at the top than to get to the top.”
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“I take any opportunity I can to raise our country's flag really high and get some shining positive light on things over there.”
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“People have to remain positive and believe in those dreams.”
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“[she comes] from a small country, [she comes] from a sport that doesn’t necessarily pay athletes very well and [she] still [doesn”
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“At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat ... So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category.”
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Which included more transparency and a proposed "short-list stage"
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2025· 12 entries
Yahoo! Sports: Kirsty Coventry starts IOC president term, reflects on Olympic swimming journey from Zimbabwe
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Yahoo: International Olympic Committee: Kirsty Coventry chosen as first female president
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CNBC: Kirsty Coventry becomes first woman and first African to lead International Olympic Committee
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UPI: Kirsty Coventry becomes first woman, African elected as IOC president
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NBC Sports: Kirsty Coventry elected first female president of International Olympic Committee
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Swimming World: Double Olympic Champion Kirsty Coventry Elected As The IOC’s First Female President
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Yahoo: Kirsty Coventry elected IOC president and is first woman, first African to lead global Olympic body
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Forbes: Kirsty Coventry Wants To Be The IOC’s First Female President. Insiders Think She Has A Good Shot
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Swimming World: Kirsty Coventry Boasts Strong Credentials for IOC Presidency; Protecting Female Athletes a Focus
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The International Olympic Committee began considering the return of Russia to the Olympic Games
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Campaign: 2025 presidential election.
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Career landmark: president of the International Olympic Committee (2025).
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2024· 1 entry
Coventry gave birth to her second daughter Lily in late November 2024.
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2023· 1 entry
Was nominated by Bach and elected unopposed to a permanent seat on the IOC Executive Board
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2022· 1 entry
Coventry's actions again led to Zimbabwe being sanctioned in international sport when it was banned by FIFA after her Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) removed the entire executive of the Zimbabwe Football Associati
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2021· 1 entry
At the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympic Games
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2020· 1 entry
Citing a lack of safety in the country's stadiums due to lack of maintenance
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2019· 1 entry
Appointed Gerald Mlotshwa, Mnangagwa's son-in-law, as chairman of the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) which regulates sport in Zimbabwe
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2018· 2 entries
Career landmark: Minister of Sport, Arts and Recreation (2018–2025).
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After the presumptive candidate, Tony Estanguet, withdrew to focus on his role leading the Paris 2024 Organising Committee (COJO)
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2016· 1 entry
Coventry retired from swimming after her fifth Olympics, having won the joint-most individual medals in women's swimming in Olympic history and she is the most decorated African Olympian
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2015· 1 entry
In Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo, Coventry won three golds and one bronze medals
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2013· 2 entries
Career landmark: member of the International Olympic Committee (2013).
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On 10 August 2013, Coventry married Tyrone Seward, who had been her manager since 2010.
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2008· 1 entry
Coventry broke her first world record in the 200 m backstroke at the Missouri Grand Prix
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2006· 1 entry
Graduated from Auburn with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management
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2005· 2 entries
Awarded Honda Sports Award for Swimming & Diving (2005).
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Was the top individual scorer at the NCAA Championships and captured three individual titles including the 200-yard and 400-yard individual medley (IM), and the 200-yard backstroke for the second consecutive season
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2000· 1 entry
While still in high school at the Dominican Convent in Harare, Coventry qualified for the Olympics in Sydney
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1983· 1 entry
Born 1983-09-16.
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