Kirsty Coventry’s in-tray: six big issues facing IOC’s new president

From protecting women’s sport to the return of Russia and keeping the Olympics relevant, the former gold medallist has tough challenges ahead
As a seven-time Olympic swimming medallist, Kirsty Coventry knows a thing or two about navigating choppy waters. But the new International Olympic Committee president now faces the biggest set of challenges to global sport since the 1980s, when boycotts rocked the Moscow and Los Angeles Games. As the 41-year-old prepares to take over from Thomas Bach in June, what issues will she face?
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
Topics
-
Groundbreaking but controversial - new IOC president Coventry
Kirsty Coventry will become the 10th International Olympic Committee (IOC) president but why is she both a groundbreaking and controversial choice?BBC News - 2d -
Coventry elected as IOC's first female president
Zimbabwe's sports minister Kirsty Coventry is elected as the new IOC president, becoming the first woman and first African to hold the role.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Coventry elected first female IOC president as Coe beaten
Zimbabwe's sports minister Kirsty Coventry is elected as the new IOC president, becoming the first woman and first African to hold the role.BBC News - 3d -
Groundbreaking but controversial - new IOC president Coventry
Kirsty Coventry will become the 10th International Olympic Committee president - but why is she both a groundbreaking and controversial choice?Yahoo Sports - 1d -
After historic Olympic election comes leadership issues for IOC president Kirsty Coventry
After the stunning election win comes the sober business of leading the International Olympic Committee for Kirsty CoventryABC News - 2d -
Seb Coe humiliated as Kirsty Coventry becomes new Olympics president
Lord Coe suffered a crushing defeat in his bid to become president of the International Olympic Committee, with Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry routing her six rivals in the first round of voting to ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Kirsty Coventry Is Elected President of International Olympic Committee
Ms. Coventry, a former Olympic swimming champion who has been Zimbabwe’s sports minister, faces urgent issues including the rights of transgender athletes and the challenges posed by the climate ...The New York Times - 3d -
Kirsty Coventry elected as first woman and first African to lead IOC
Kirsty Coventry has been elected president of the International Olympic Committee.CBS News - 3d -
Kirsty Coventry elected as first woman and first African to lead IOC
Kirsty Coventry has been elected president of the International Olympic Committee.CBS News - 3d -
Kirsty Coventry elected as first woman and first African to lead IOC
Kirsty Coventry has been elected president of the International Olympic Committee.CBS News - 3d -
Kirsty Coventry becomes first female president of International Olympic Committee
Kirsty Coventry, 41, of Zimbabwe becomes the first woman to lead the IOC. She is eligible to serve up to a 12-year term.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Kirsty Coventry elected first female president of IOC as Coe routed in vote
Zimbabwean former swimmer won majority in first round Sebastian Coe is third; Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr second The Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry has become the first woman to lead the ...The Guardian - 3d -
So who is Kirsty Coventry, who now has global sport’s most powerful job? | Sean Ingle
IOC’s first female president faces significant challenges including handling Donald Trump’s power and protecting women’s sports. Barely an hour after Kirsty Coventry had become the most powerful ...The Guardian - 3d -
Kirsty Coventry named new IOC president as Coe denied in election vote – live
Former Zimbabwean swimmer wins vote in round one Inside the Olympic conclave | And feel free to mail Simon In addition to the seven candidates a total of eight IOC members will not be ...The Guardian - 3d -
Kirsty Coventry elected IOC president and is first woman, first African to lead global Olympic body
Kirsty Coventry was elected president of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday and became the first woman and first African to get perhaps the biggest job in world sports.NBC News - 3d -
IOC presidential election LIVE: Ex-swimmer Kirsty Coventry beats Seb Coe as historic results revealed
Lord Coe was beaten to the presidency by Zimbabwean former swimmer Kirsty Coventry in a battle for the most powerful post in sportYahoo Sports - 3d -
Coventry the first woman elected as IOC pres.
Kirsty Coventry has been elected president of the International Olympic Committee, becoming the first woman and first African to hold the post.ESPN - 3d -
Kirsty Coventry elected president of the International Olympic Committee
Kirsty Coventry has been elected president of the International Olympic CommitteeABC News - 3d -
IOC elects first woman president as Kirsty Coventry takes over for outgoing leader Thomas Bach
Coventry will officially replace Bach on June 23, 2025CBS Sports - 3d -
View from Africa: how Kirsty Coventry will handle sport’s biggest job at the IOC
Incoming president owes her position to political support but is promising a collective and sustainable approach. The International Olympic Committee’s president-elect, Kirsty Coventry , did not ...The Guardian - 1d -
Who is Kirsty Coventry? From Zimbabwean swimmer to the most powerful person in sport
The 41-year-old has risen from Africa’s most decorated Olympian to become the new president of the IOCYahoo Sports - 2d -
New IOC president: Task force will examine 'transgender issue'
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Thursday it would investigate “the transgender issue” of sports participation in the 2028 games, which are slated to take place in Los Angeles. “As I ...The Hill - 3d -
Kirsty Coventry elected first woman president of Olympic movement
Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry became the first woman and African to be elected president of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday, declaring it to be an "extraordinary moment"."This is an ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Sent to Coventry: how Bach’s power helped Zimbabwean’s shock IOC win
Poll result defied candidates’ calculations and illustrated outgoing president’s influence but change may yet come. It might sound beyond ridiculous, given the scale of Kirsty Coventry’s seismic ...The Guardian - 2d -
Kirsty Coventry elected first female president of International Olympic Committee
Kirsty Coventry succeeds Thomas Bach, whose term ended after 12 years in the role.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry elected to lead the International Olympic Committee
First woman IOC president could preside over Utah’s 2034 Winter Games.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Kirsty Coventry wins seven-way battle to become first female IOC president
The five-time Olympian was known to be the preferred candidate of the outgoing president, Thomas Bach, and required just one round of voting to assume his mantleYahoo Sports - 3d -
Kirsty Coventry becomes first woman to lead International Olympic Committee
Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry became the first woman and African to be elected president of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday, saying it was an "extraordinary moment"."This is an ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
So it’s victory for Kirsty Coventry in the IOC elections. Who says cards with a rigged deck isn’t an Olympic sport? | Marina Hyde
The Zimbabwean has global sport’s top job but Britain’s Sebastian Coe was snubbed, and with good reason: he might have changed things. Congratulations to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ...The Guardian - 2d -
Who is Kirsty Coventry, the next president of the International Olympic Committee?
The next president of the International Olympic Committee is a former Zimbabwe swimmer who is Africa's most decorated Olympian and a minister in a government often accused of oppressing political ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Zimbabwe sports minister elected first female Olympics president
Kirsty Coventry defeats Sebastian Coe and Juan Antonio Samaranch in secret ballotFinancial Times - 3d -
Coe feels ‘momentum’ but IOC presidential race remains on knife-edge
Vote on next IOC president to take place on Thursday Samaranch Jr, Coventry and Coe the leading contenders Sebastian Coe feels he has momentum as the race to become the next president of the ...The Guardian - 4d -
‘Seb is a leader’: Farah, Bolt and Grey-Thompson back Coe for IOC president
Vote to succeed Thomas Bach is on Thursday Samaranch and Coventry seen as main rivals Some of the biggest names of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics have thrown their weight behind ...The Guardian - 5d -
Thomas Bach made honorary IOC president for life
Outgoing International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach has become the second person to be named honorary IOC preisdent for life. The 144th IOC Session approved an according proposal ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Hundreds of Olympians call on IOC candidates to make climate top priority
Just days before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) elects a new president in Greece more than 400 athletes on Friday called on the future leader of the body to strengthen its action for the ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Heavyweight trio eye history in race to succeed Olympics chief Bach
The race to succeed Thomas Bach as president of the International Olympic Committee reaches a climax on Thursday with Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior, Sebastian Coe and Kirsty Coventry believed to be ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
The one big question facing each Six Nations side after captivating championship
France were worthy winners and England emerged as title contenders – but Scotland and Wales face more significant scrutinyYahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
Out of Africa: Hard knocks the spur for history-making Coventry
Kirsty Coventry says she has "learned the best lessons by failing" and the Zimbabwean swimming great's mantra appears to have served her well after she became the first woman and African to be ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Heavyweight seven eye finish line in race to succeed Olympics chief Bach
The race to succeed Thomas Bach as president of the International Olympic Committee is nearing the finish with Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior, Sebastian Coe and Kirsty Coventry widely seen to be ...Yahoo Sports - 6d
More from The Guardian
-
Istanbul mayor jailed on day of likely presidential nomination
Ekrem İmamoğlu, rival of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, placed in pre-trial detention along with dozens of staff and officials. An Istanbul court has formally arrested the city’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, on ...The Guardian - 4h -
Press freedom in Serbia is facing a dangerous turning point, editors warn
Group says reporters at independent outlets suffer ‘constant harassment, physical attacks and smear campaigns’. Press freedom in Serbia is facing a “dangerous turning point” after mounting pressure ...The Guardian - 5h -
Gérard Depardieu to appear in Paris court over sexual assault allegations
Actor, 76, denies claims made by assistant director and set designer who worked with him on Les Volets Verts. Gérard Depardieu will become the most high-profile French person to stand trial on ...The Guardian - 4h -
Starmer is warned against ‘appeasing’ Trump with tax cut for US tech firms
Labour MP and Lib Dem leader express concern social media companies could be let off hook just as benefits are cut. Keir Starmer has been warned against “appeasing” Donald Trump as he considers ...The Guardian - 2h -
Service at Heathrow airport returns to normal two days after forced closure
More than a thousand flights were cancelled on Friday after a fire at an electrical substation caused a power cut. Heathrow airport has returned to normal business two days after it was forced to ...The Guardian - 3h
More in World
-
Scotland 0-3 Greece, Spain v Netherlands, Germany v Italy, and more: Nations League – live
Portugal v Denmark, France v Croatia also playing You can email Michael with your thoughts Goalflash: Iceland 1-0 Kosovo (Okarsson, 2) (2-2 aggregate) . 1 min: The Hampden Roar gets us ...The Guardian - 55m -
South African ambassador expelled from US welcomed home by supporters
Ebrahim Rasool, declared persona non grata by Washington, was surrounded by crowds at Cape Town airport. The South African ambassador who was expelled from the US and declared persona non grata by ...The Guardian - 1h -
‘There was just wave after wave’: Gaza doctors recount horror of the last week
About a third of all casualties admitted to Nasser hospital were under 14, as Israeli airstrikes broke fragile ceasefire. Early on Tuesday morning, within minutes of the wave of Israeli airstrikes ...The Guardian - 1h -
Turkey Ousts and Jails Istanbul Mayor, Who Was Expected to Run for President
Supporters of the mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, said that corruption charges against him were a ploy to hobble the main political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.The New York Times - 2h -
Former US attorney for eastern district of Virginia found dead at age 43
Alexandria police find Jessica Aber unresponsive after responding to reports and say investigation under way. The former US attorney for the eastern district of Virginia was found dead in ...The Guardian - 2h