Kirsty Coventry Denies Thomas Bach's Involvement in Her IOC Presidential Campaign.
Kirsty Coventry is running for IOC president. She says current president Thomas Bach is not helping her campaign. They have been friends for over 10 years.
Coventry is a two-time Olympic champion and Zimbabwe's Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture.
Seven people are running for IOC president. IOC members will vote on March 20 in Greece. Bach is leaving after 12 years as president.
Many people thought Bach wanted Coventry to replace him. But Coventry says Bach respects all the candidates. He is not campaigning for her.
Coventry would be the first woman and African IOC president. All previous presidents were men from Europe or North America.
Sebastian Coe, Juan Antonio Samaranch, and David Lappartient are other candidates. Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Morinari Watanabe, and Johan Eliasch are also running.
If elected, Coventry wants to meet with sponsors and use AI and apps to make the Olympics more popular.
The IOC lost three top sponsors in 2024. Coventry wants to understand what sponsors expect.
She does not want prize money at the Olympics. Some sports, like track and field, offer prize money. This upset the IOC.
"I prefer to find better ways to support athletes," Coventry said. She thinks there are ways to give athletes a bigger share of Olympic money.
The next IOC president will serve for eight years. They will be in charge of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Coventry was asked about working with U.S. President Donald Trump. She believes he will help make the LA Olympics a success.
Kirsty Coventry is running for IOC president. She says current president Thomas Bach is not helping her campaign. They have been friends for over 10 years.
Coventry is a two-time Olympic champion and Zimbabwe's Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture.
Seven people are running for IOC president. IOC members will vote on March 20 in Greece. Bach is leaving after 12 years as president.
Many people thought Bach wanted Coventry to replace him. But Coventry says Bach respects all the candidates. He is not campaigning for her.
Coventry would be the first woman and African IOC president. All previous presidents were men from Europe or North America.
Sebastian Coe, Juan Antonio Samaranch, and David Lappartient are other candidates. Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Morinari Watanabe, and Johan Eliasch are also running.
If elected, Coventry wants to meet with sponsors and use AI and apps to make the Olympics more popular.
The IOC lost three top sponsors in 2024. Coventry wants to understand what sponsors expect.
She does not want prize money at the Olympics. Some sports, like track and field, offer prize money. This upset the IOC.
"I prefer to find better ways to support athletes," Coventry said. She thinks there are ways to give athletes a bigger share of Olympic money.
The next IOC president will serve for eight years. They will be in charge of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Coventry was asked about working with U.S. President Donald Trump. She believes he will help make the LA Olympics a success.
