HARARE – Seven time Olympic champion Kirsty Coventry believes it’s high time an African leads at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following her decision to join the race for the presidential post.
The Zimbabwean Sports Minister threw her hat into the ring for the IOC presidential elections slated for 2025.
She is among seven candidates who are vying for the hot seat to replace current leader, Thomas Bach.
Her name appeared on the IOC’s official list of the candidates set to tussle in an election slated for the IOC’s 143rd Session between 18-21 March 2025 in Greece.
Other candidates include HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Lord Sebastian Coe, Johan Eliasch, David Lappartient, Samaranch Morinari Watanabe and Juan Antonio.
The 41-year-old who is Africa’s most decorated Olympian, is the only female candidate in the race.
The top position has been dominated by males for 130-years and no African has ever led the Olympic body, a thing that Coventry believes should end.
“I felt it was time for Africa now, time for a woman and just time in general.
“I think when you get to certain pathways in your career, you have to choose whether or not you are going to keep running the race, move forward or not,” she told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
She added: “It will be a milestone! As a movement, we have been working very hard under the leadership of president Bach to ensure that we are reaching gender equality.
“Paris (Olympic Games) was the first where we had 50-50 men and women on the field of play.
“Within the IOC membership, our female membership is now over 40 percent so it has been growing.”
