His impressive Olympic palmarés looks seven medals, two of them gold, and if as a athlete he sprayed all the records of his country, once retired he has made history again. Kirsty Coventry has become the First Woman President of the International Olympic Committeethe first African representative to hold the maximum position of world sports and, at 41, becomes the second youngest president in the history of the IOC, an agency of which has been part since 2013.
And few will imagine that the African athlete with more medals in Olympic Games is not a background corridor but a woman. Nor that it was not a athlete but swimmer. And white, in addition. Kirsty Coventry is the call ‘Golden girl’ and authentic Union link in its conflicting country, Zimbabuewhere he was born in 1983.
The former Olympic and Plusmarquista Number He won the game to Spanish Juan Antonio Samaranchand will relieve Thomas Bach at the head of the IOC At least for the next eight years.
He participated in Five editions of the Olympic Gamesand his debut occurred with 16 years in Sydney 2000. His last appearance was in Rio 2016, already with 33 years. Once withdrawn from professional sport, his political career has also been very prominent since It is currently the Sports Minister of Zimbabue.
She has been a member of the IOC since 2013 and former president of the Athlete Commission, president of the Coordination Commissions of the 2026 and Brisbane 2036 Games. In sports policy, she became vice president of the International Surf Association between 2016 and 2022.
«When I was 9 years old, I told my father that I wanted to go to the Olympic Games and win the gold. He told me it would be a difficult path. He explained how complicated it was simply to enter the Olympic team, and much more win a medal. But he believed in me, ”he wrote in a Facebook post a few years ago, making it clear that from a young man he was clear that one day he would arrive at the games.
Supply expert with seven Olympic medals
In the pools he obtained sports glory. After consecrating at the national level, his first Olympic participation took place in Sydney 2000. That year he failed to get on the podium, but in his next participation, in Athens 2004the African won her first Olympic gold medal, a silver and a bronze. The gold in the 200 meters back, the silver in the 100 back and bronze in the 200 styles.
That moment marked the beginning of an athletic race that beat records, becoming one of the most successful swimmers in the world by first carrying Zimbabue’s flag to the podiums of swimming at a time when the presence of the Robert Mugabe regime in Europe was prohibited.
In Beijing 2008 He won another gold medal – in 200 backs – and three silver becoming an example for his countrymen. Later it was classified for the Olympic Games of London 2012 And again to Janeiro Rio 2016year he ended his career. In 2016, Coventry retired from swimming.
Married, mother of two children and recognized activist
The still minister, married and mother of two children, is a personality known in your country’s activism. «Zimbabue is my country, my culture and my home. The color does not matter, ”the African defended in an intervention, known for the activism of his country and the defense of feminism. «No support that transgender athletes compete in the Olympic Games against female athletes, since it is unfair to them. It is essential to guarantee equity in women’s sport, ”he said bluntly.
Coventry believes that “transsexual women have a physical advantage inherent in female categories, which potentially reduces equitable opportunities for biological women.” Your mandate will officially start on June 23.
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