Zimbabwe backs Kirsty Coventry as she gets ready to lead the International Olympic Committee. She made history when she won the top job last week in Greece. Back home yesterday, crowds of fans, sports people, and government officials packed Robert Mugabe Airport to cheer her return. She stands as the first female IOC president ever and the first leader from anywhere outside Europe or America.
Her official start date is June 23rd. Cabinet Minister Monica Mutsvangwa called this win huge for Zimbabwe, Africa, and sports everywhere. She praised Coventry as someone who inspires others through her toughness. Mutsvangwa pointed out that Coventry earned seven Olympic medals—two gold, four silver, and one bronze. Those seven medals make up almost all of Zimbabwe's Olympic hardware.
Her victory happens during International Women's Month, making it extra meaningful. Women across Africa celebrated her success. Many female leaders showed up at the airport, including ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera and several deputy ministers. Mutsvangwa recently went to New York for a United Nations meeting about women's leadership. She said Coventry's achievement perfectly matched what they discussed at that conference.
Coventry joined the government in 2018 and has run programs for young people, local sports, and creative jobs since then. Her department fixed up community sports centers and created better rules for sports groups. She helped write new policies to make Zimbabwe better at sports competitions. She also found money for artists and set up cultural programs. She might leave her government job to handle her new international role. As she steps into running world sports, she carries the dreams of athletes and makes her country proud.
Her official start date is June 23rd. Cabinet Minister Monica Mutsvangwa called this win huge for Zimbabwe, Africa, and sports everywhere. She praised Coventry as someone who inspires others through her toughness. Mutsvangwa pointed out that Coventry earned seven Olympic medals—two gold, four silver, and one bronze. Those seven medals make up almost all of Zimbabwe's Olympic hardware.
Her victory happens during International Women's Month, making it extra meaningful. Women across Africa celebrated her success. Many female leaders showed up at the airport, including ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera and several deputy ministers. Mutsvangwa recently went to New York for a United Nations meeting about women's leadership. She said Coventry's achievement perfectly matched what they discussed at that conference.
Coventry joined the government in 2018 and has run programs for young people, local sports, and creative jobs since then. Her department fixed up community sports centers and created better rules for sports groups. She helped write new policies to make Zimbabwe better at sports competitions. She also found money for artists and set up cultural programs. She might leave her government job to handle her new international role. As she steps into running world sports, she carries the dreams of athletes and makes her country proud.
