Australia’s Olympic bosses have saluted Kirsty Coventry’s historic election as IOC president, declaring the appointment will resonate with a young generation of athletes.
The Australian Olympic Committee also said it was looking forward to working alongside the 41-year-old and her team in delivering “the best possible” Olympics in Brisbane in 2032.
Coventry was elected in the first round of voting by members in the 144th IOC session at Costa Navarino in Greece on Thursday, a landmark appointment with the former champion Zimbabwean swimmer being the first woman, the first African and the youngest ever holder of sport’s most powerful position.
Only the 10th person to hold the presidency since the IOC’s establishment in 1894, Coventry will take over from outgoing boss Thomas Bach in June, embarking on at least an eight-year term that will feature her overseeing the third Olympics to be staged in Australia in what could prove the penultimate year of her tenure.
Congratulating Coventry, who made the first of her five Olympic appearances in the 2000 Sydney Games, AOC President Ian Chesterman said: “Kirsty has over many, many years demonstrated a deep commitment to the Olympic movement.
“And she is well positioned to lead the International Olympic Committee in this next exciting phase for the organisation.
“She is a contemporary athlete, her fifth and final Games was in Rio in 2016, not long ago, so she will resonate with the athletes of today which is absolutely vital for our Olympic Movement.
“Kirsty is an authentic leader and passionate about creating opportunities for the athletes of the world.
“Through her role as the IOC’s Chair of the Co-ordination Commission for Brisbane 2032, Kirsty has already had great involvement in and been a great supporter of the Brisbane Games, and we look forward to working with her and her team to grow the Olympic Movement in Australia and delivering the best possible Games in 2032.”
Chesterman also acknowledged the “very strong field of candidates”, Coventry’s six male opponents, who he said had shown “their passion and commitment to the Movement.”
And there was a farewell salute too for the outgoing president Thomas Bach “for his enormous contribution to the IOC during his tenure.”
“Thomas has led the IOC through some incredibly challenging times including the delivery of the Tokyo Games during a global pandemic and has also been a great friend to Australia over many years. We thank him for his service and friendship,” Chesterman said.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/olympics/aussie-olympic-chiefs-hail-authentic-leader-coventry-c-18110126
