Kirsty Coventry, 41, just became the next President of the International Olympic Committee. She works as the Sports Minister in Zimbabwe. Seven people wanted this job, but she won through a secret vote held today, March 20, in Greece. The members picked her up during their big meeting in Costa Navarino.
She will run things for eight years starting soon. Thomas Bach led the Olympics before her, starting back in 2013. He won again in 2021 but must step aside for Coventry. She breaks new ground as both the first woman and the first African person to lead the world's biggest sports group.
The handover happens on June 23, which Olympic fans know as Olympic Day. Bach stays boss until then. After that, he left his membership spot and became the Honorary President. Coventry faces her first big test next year with the Winter Games in Italy.
The Milano Cortina Olympics started in less than 11 months after she took over. She'll have to jump right into action when she grabs the reins this summer. Her rise marks a historic change for the Olympic movement after Bach's many years guiding the global sports world.
She will run things for eight years starting soon. Thomas Bach led the Olympics before her, starting back in 2013. He won again in 2021 but must step aside for Coventry. She breaks new ground as both the first woman and the first African person to lead the world's biggest sports group.
The handover happens on June 23, which Olympic fans know as Olympic Day. Bach stays boss until then. After that, he left his membership spot and became the Honorary President. Coventry faces her first big test next year with the Winter Games in Italy.
The Milano Cortina Olympics started in less than 11 months after she took over. She'll have to jump right into action when she grabs the reins this summer. Her rise marks a historic change for the Olympic movement after Bach's many years guiding the global sports world.
