Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), making history as both the first woman and the first African to hold the role. Her election took place during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, marking a significant shift in Olympic leadership.
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, present at the session, was among the first to congratulate Coventry, acknowledging the importance of her appointment in shaping the future of the Olympic movement. A longtime IOC member and Chair of the Sustainability and Legacy Commission, the Prince reaffirmed his commitment to Olympic values under Coventry’s leadership.
A former Zimbabwean swimmer and seven-time Olympic medalist, Coventry will officially take over the presidency on June 23, 2025, succeeding Thomas Bach after his 12-year tenure. Her leadership will be instrumental as the IOC prepares for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games and continues its efforts in sustainability and global sports development.
Coventry’s election holds particular significance in Monaco, where she trained ahead of the London 2012 Olympics at the invitation of HSH Princess Charlene. This connection adds a personal dimension to her longstanding ties with the Principality and its deep-rooted Olympic traditions.
In her first remarks as President-elect, Coventry expressed her gratitude, reflecting on how far she has come from being a young girl with Olympic dreams to leading the global movement.
