Kirsty Coventry is now the most powerful person in sport and faces a bulging in-tray

A new day has broken, has it not? For several reasons, Tony Blair's 1997 election victory speech comes to mind on what will be a historic and symbolic day for sport. Because in Lausanne on Monday, after plenty of handshakes and platitudes, the 41-year-old Kirsty Coventry will become the first female and first African president of the International Olympic Committee in its 131-year-old history.
It has been, by any measure, a dizzying ascent. In 2016, Coventry stepped out of an Olympic pool for the final time in Rio. Now, nine years later, she is the most powerful person in sport. Yet as she takes charge, there are some who suspect that the new dawn will look rather like the old one – and that her predecessor, Thomas Bach, and his administration, will remain puppet masters behind the throne.
After all, it was Bach who identified Coventry's leadership abilities and pushed her candidacy hard before the election in March. And with the mother of two from Zimbabwe not yet having significant business or global political experience, there is a school of thought that believes she will rely on Bach and others in the IOC.
Yet having spoken to several people in the IOC ecosystem, I wonder whether that analysis might turn out to be incorrect. Because the early signs are that Coventry may end up being a lot more independent, and interesting, than Bach and the IOC administration were expecting.
True, it is early days. But Coventry, who only arrived in Lausanne at the start of June as part of a three-month transition process, has already made an impact. One source described her as 'a breath of fresh air'. Two others said that she had made a very good impression not only in speeches to Olympic partners but with the rank and file. Another said she was 'as tough as nails but very friendly'.
Coventry is already displaying a more human approach to Bach, who came across as part Gordon Brown, part Otto von Bismarck, Presbyterian and Prussian, serious and stern.
Last week she admitted that she was such a bad loser as a child her family banned her from playing cards. She also recalled how, as a 17-year-old in her first Olympics in Sydney, she had fallen over in the changing rooms trying to put on a Speedo swimsuit for the first time before her hero, the Australian swimmer Susie O'Neill, helped her out. Can you imagine Bach ever laughing at himself?
The early signs are also that she will be more consensual. After the handover on Monday there will be a two-day session with IOC members to brainstorm ideas in five areas. I am told that Juan Antonio Samaranch, who came second to her in the IOC presidential election, will lead the finance and revenue section, which suggests more of a big tent approach.
When I asked Coventry last week about the leaders she admired and had learned from, she pointed to Strive Masiyiwa, the founder and executive chairman of Econet, and something he had told her. 'One of the biggest things he shared with me was to always know your strengths and weaknesses,' she said. 'And never be too proud to get someone that knows something in your weak spots that's going to be better than you. Because they're ultimately going to make you stronger'.
What of policy? Here there will be differences from Bach, too. Coventry has already said she will protect the female category, and promised to set up a taskforce during her campaign.
One person with knowledge of her views said the issue was 'front and centre for her'. And that, while it wouldn't happen overnight, they believed there would be little pushback when it came to banning transgender athletes in female sport. They also predicted the 2021 IOC guidelines would be revised and that, ultimately, Olympic sports will end up using the cheek-swab test.
I also expect a different approach when it comes to how the 2036 Olympics is awarded. In 2021, Bach controversially gave the 2032 Games to Brisbane after almost no consultation with IOC members. But multiple sources say that Coventry will not rush the 2036 decision and also intends to find a way to get IOC members involved.
Another subtle shift might come over the IOC's attitude to Russia. There is no chance it will be let back into the Winter Olympics next year. But Coventry has said she will look at another taskforce over Russia and there is a widespread expectation that ways will be found to let more of the country's athletes compete at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Sign up to The Recap
The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action
after newsletter promotion
Of course not everything will change. Like Bach, Coventry is 'passionately against' giving prize money to athletes, believing that the IOC's money is better spent on young athletes coming through.
And while Coventry is likely to enjoy a honeymoon period, she knows there are landmines lurking everywhere. Take your pick from dealing with Donald Trump, Ukraine, the Middle East, the need to attract new sponsors. Then also chuck in the need to keep Olympic sports relevant not just at Games time, dealing with changing viewing habits, issues with the Olympic Broadcasting Services. And that is just for starters.
Clearly there is a chance that early optimism and desire for change will become blunted. Even the biggest of beasts would struggle to lead a mammoth organisation that not only runs the Olympics but is a cheerleader, funder and regulator for much of sport.
But Coventry seems aware of the dangers and the doubters, and ready to tackle them head on. Last week, for instance, she also spoke about being an underdog as an athlete before cleverly relating it to her new job as IOC president.
'I like that people tend to look at me and be like: 'Oh, she is very young and maybe she hasn't got much experience,'' she said. 'I haven't worked in a big corporate. But there are a lot of things I've gone through that no one else has. All those people who may look at me and see one thing, kind of excites me. Because I think that they won't see what is coming.'
Those are punch words. But you don't swim for hours every day in a cold pool, win seven Olympic medals and break five world records without being steely and determined. It would be wise not to underestimate her. A new dawn may be about to break.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

South Wales Guardian

an hour ago

• South Wales Guardian

Kirsty Coventry takes over as IOC president

The Zimbabwean, a seven-time Olympic medallist, becomes the first woman and the first African to occupy the post, widely considered the most powerful role in sport. Coventry, at 41, is also the youngest IOC president since Pierre de Coubertin was elected as its first in 1896. She saw off the challenge of Sebastian Coe among others for the job at an IOC Session in Greece in March. 'In this spirit of gratitude, confidence and joy, I hand over the keys of Olympic House to Mrs Kirsty Coventry, the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee.' – IOC President Thomas Bach — IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) June 23, 2025 Outgoing president Thomas Bach has held the position since 2013 and handed over the keys to Olympic House at a ceremony in Lausanne on Monday. Coventry will now serve an eight-year term. In her first speech as IOC president, she praised the 'passion and purpose' of her predecessor and thanked him for keeping the Olympic movement 'united in difficult times'. 'I was very fortunate to have very strong women around me from an early age, from my grandmothers, to my mum, to many of you women here today,' she added. She described her children Ella, six, and seven-month-old Lily as her 'rocks' and her 'inspiration'. 'I can't believe that in 1992 when I had the dream of going to the Olympic Games and winning a gold medal for Zimbabwe, that I'd be standing here with all of you, getting to make those dreams come true for more young people around the world,' she said. Coventry said the Olympic movement was 'a platform to inspire, a platform to change lives, and a platform to bring hope'. She then likened the movement to a spider web. 'It's complex, it's beautiful, it's strong, but it only works if we work together and we remain united,' she said. Coventry faces a number of challenges – how and when Russia can be reintegrated into the Olympic movement, with no sign of its invasion of Ukraine coming to an end, the protection of the female sport category and handling the impact of climate change on future summer and winter Games to name just three. Bach told IOC members at Monday's ceremony before handing over: 'You have placed your trust in someone (Coventry) whose life story is deeply rooted in the Olympic movement. 'As an Olympian, she knows what it means to live the Olympic values, she knows how to lead with courage. 'She reflects the truly global nature and the youthful, forward-looking spirit of our Olympic community.'

North Wales Chronicle

an hour ago

• North Wales Chronicle

Kirsty Coventry takes over as IOC president

The Zimbabwean, a seven-time Olympic medallist, becomes the first woman and the first African to occupy the post, widely considered the most powerful role in sport. Coventry, at 41, is also the youngest IOC president since Pierre de Coubertin was elected as its first in 1896. She saw off the challenge of Sebastian Coe among others for the job at an IOC Session in Greece in March. 'In this spirit of gratitude, confidence and joy, I hand over the keys of Olympic House to Mrs Kirsty Coventry, the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee.' – IOC President Thomas Bach — IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) June 23, 2025 Outgoing president Thomas Bach has held the position since 2013 and handed over the keys to Olympic House at a ceremony in Lausanne on Monday. Coventry will now serve an eight-year term. In her first speech as IOC president, she praised the 'passion and purpose' of her predecessor and thanked him for keeping the Olympic movement 'united in difficult times'. 'I was very fortunate to have very strong women around me from an early age, from my grandmothers, to my mum, to many of you women here today,' she added. She described her children Ella, six, and seven-month-old Lily as her 'rocks' and her 'inspiration'. 'I can't believe that in 1992 when I had the dream of going to the Olympic Games and winning a gold medal for Zimbabwe, that I'd be standing here with all of you, getting to make those dreams come true for more young people around the world,' she said. Coventry said the Olympic movement was 'a platform to inspire, a platform to change lives, and a platform to bring hope'. She then likened the movement to a spider web. 'It's complex, it's beautiful, it's strong, but it only works if we work together and we remain united,' she said. Coventry faces a number of challenges – how and when Russia can be reintegrated into the Olympic movement, with no sign of its invasion of Ukraine coming to an end, the protection of the female sport category and handling the impact of climate change on future summer and winter Games to name just three. Bach told IOC members at Monday's ceremony before handing over: 'You have placed your trust in someone (Coventry) whose life story is deeply rooted in the Olympic movement. 'As an Olympian, she knows what it means to live the Olympic values, she knows how to lead with courage. 'She reflects the truly global nature and the youthful, forward-looking spirit of our Olympic community.'

Reuters

an hour ago

• Reuters

Coventry receives golden key as new IOC President

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, June 23 (Reuters) - New International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry pledged on Monday to strengthen and extend the reach of the Games, as Zimbabwe's Olympic swimming champion took over from Thomas Bach in a ceremony in Lausanne. Coventry, who starts her eight-year spell officially on Tuesday as the most powerful sports administrator in the world, became the first woman and the first African to be elected head of the Olympic ruling body in March. The IOC generates several billion dollars in revenues each year in sponsorship and broadcasting deals for the summer and winter Olympics. Coventry needed only one round of voting to clinch the race to succeed Bach, beating six other candidates. On Monday she was handed the golden key to the IOC by Bach, who was in charge for 12 years. "I am really honoured I get to walk this journey with you. I cannot wait for anything that lies ahead," Coventry said in her address to IOC members and other Olympic stakeholders. "I know I have the best team to support me and our movement over the next eight years." Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Olympics and Italy's Milano-Cortina will stage next year's Winter Games. Coventry will hold a two-day workshop this week to get feedback from members on key IOC issues. "Working together and consistently finding ways to strengthen and keep united our movement that will ensure that we wake up daily... to continue to inspire," she said. A seven-times Olympic medallist, Coventry won 200m backstroke gold at the 2004 Athens Games and in Beijing four years later. "With her election, you have also sent a powerful message to the world: the IOC continues to evolve," Bach said in his speech. "With Kirsty Coventry, the Olympic movement will be in the best of hands."