GREECE – Zimbabwe’s Sports Minister, Kirsty Coventry, has been receiving a flood of congratulatory messages following her historic election as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday.
Coventry made history as the first woman, the first African and the youngest person to hold the prestigious position.
The 41-year-old was elected through a secret ballot among seven candidates during the IOC’s 144th session in Greece.
She will succeed Thomas Bach, who has served two terms since first being elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2021.
Among the many congratulatory messages, one standout one came from Ivory Coast football legend Didier Drogba.
Taking to his X account, the former Chelsea star wrote: “Congratulations Kirsty Coventry for being the First Woman and African President of the IOC.”
In a statement, CAF President Patrice Motsepe also extended his congratulations.
“On behalf of the CAF Member Associations representing 54 African nations, we express our heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Kirsty Coventry on her election as President of the IOC.
“Her achievement is a source of immense pride and a testament to her dedication to Olympism. We wish her great success.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa also took to his X account to celebrate Coventry’s achievement, he wrote:
“Congratulations to our own Kirsty Coventry on her historic election as the first female and first African President of the IOC. A proud moment for Zimbabwe and the entire continent! Wishing her all the success in her new role.”
Coventry is set to officially assume office on June 23 following a handover from outgoing president Thomas Bach.
