If I were to start by saying history was made today with the election of a woman as president of the International Olympic Committee, I’d be stating the obvious. Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Recreation, didn’t just make history—she rewrote the rulebook.
Let me walk you through the drama. Seven candidates were in the running, and the usual process is a slow elimination round by round. But today? Oh no, the IOC decided to spice things up. Christophe de Kepler, the Director General, shuffled his papers like a magician about to pull a rabbit out of a hat. Then came the whispering with outgoing President Thomas Bach. Suspense? Off the charts.
Finally, the DG announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, you have elected a new president of the IOC.” One round. One winner. Silence. I whispered to anyone who’d listen, “It’s Kirsty.” Her husband, Tyrone Seward, was in denial. “Wanna bet?” I teased. He didn’t. Deep down, he knew.
This all unfolded during a coffee break. Classic IOC drama. I’ve been to two previous elections—Moscow and Buenos Aires—and let me tell you, those were marathons. Today was a sprint. Kirsty snagged 49 votes, two more than needed for an outright win. Juanito Antonio Samaranch trailed with 28, and the rest? Let’s just say they were left in the dust.
Now, the real work begins. Kirsty has to navigate expectations, politics, and the occasional meddling politician. Remember the Cold War boycotts? Or the near-collapse of the Seoul Games? Zimbabwe saved the day back then, much to the DPRK’s dismay. Kirsty will need that same ingenuity.
And let’s not forget doping scandals and political posturing. Kirsty’s got her work cut out for her. But we can help by getting our own house in order. Zimbabwe needs to start winning medals again. The last time we struck gold in team sports was 1980, thanks to the Golden Girls in hockey. It’s time to change that.
Kirsty will have a sub-office in Harare, as tradition dictates. The best way to thank her for putting Zimbabwe on the map? Make sure she’s not the only IOC president who never got to present a medal to her own country. Samaranch trailed with 28, and the rest? They were left in the dust.
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HRH Prince Faisal Al Hussein – 2
David Lappartient – 4
Johan Eliasch – 2
Juan Antonio Samaranch – 28
Kirsty Coventry – 49
Lord Sebastian Coe – 8
Morinari Watanabe - 4
Now, the real work begins. Kirsty has to navigate expectations, politics, and the occasional meddling politician. Remember the Cold War boycotts? Or the near-collapse of the Seoul Games? Zimbabwe saved the day back then, much to the DPRK’s dismay. Kirsty will need that same ingenuity.
And let’s not forget doping scandals and political posturing. Kirsty’s got her work cut out for her. But we can help by getting our own house in order. Zimbabwe needs to start winning medals again. The last time we struck gold in team sports was 1980, thanks to the Golden Girls in hockey. It’s time to change that.
Kirsty will have a sub-office in Harare, as tradition dictates. The best way to thank her for putting Zimbabwe on the map? Make sure she’s not the only IOC president who never got to present a medal to her own country.
- Sithole is a veteran journalist, sports administrator, and former director of International Cooperation and Development for the International Olympic Committee
