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0 Kirsty Coventry, the former Olympic swimmer and current candidate for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) elections, recently sat down with a group of African journalists, including Joy Sports lead editor Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo, to discuss her vision for the IOC. The conversation touched on a wide range of issues, from gender inclusivity to supporting African athletes, all within the broader framework of strengthening the Olympic movement.
An accomplished Olympian, the 41-year old won seven Olympic medals in her career and would be the first woman and the first African to get the job if elected.
One of the first topics raised was the inclusion of transgender athletes in the female category. Coventry shared her views on the matter, highlighting the need for a clear and collective policy that would protect female athletes in their respective events. “I believe we need to protect the female category,” she said. While the IOC has left these decisions largely to individual sports federations, Coventry believes a more unified approach involving International Federations could help address the issue fairly and transparently.
Her position on protecting women in sport reflects her broader view on the future of the Olympic Games, built on the values of integrity, fairness, and inclusivity. Coventry emphasized that the IOC must remain true to these principles in all its decision-making, even when faced with tough choices that might not be popular. “The Olympic Games have been a beacon of hope for generations, and that’s because of their commitment to their values,” she said. She believes that by focusing on integrity and core principles, the IOC can navigate the challenges of modern sports while ensuring fair opportunities for athletes across the globe.
Coventry also spoke about the importance of leadership transitions within the IOC, acknowledging that every new administration brings its own perspectives and changes to the organization. She believes that such changes, while inevitable, can also present opportunities for growth, especially in terms of embracing new regions like Africa. With countries like Egypt and South Africa expressing interest in hosting future Olympic Games, Coventry sees the potential for stronger African representation within the Olympic movement.
She pointed to the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa as an example of how well African countries can support major international sporting events. “The Olympic Games would be very well supported within the African continent,” she said, adding that her goal, if elected, would be to create policies that ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all regions, with a particular focus on youth engagement.
In line with this, she stressed the importance of Africa’s youth, noting that the continent’s population is rapidly growing, with nearly half a billion people under the age of 35 in the coming years. “We need to find new ways of engaging with those young people and inspiring them,” she said. As the IOC looks to the future, Coventry believes it must prioritize programs that reach out to Africa’s rising young athletes and engage them in the Olympic movement. For her, this means ensuring that the voices of athletes, particularly from emerging regions, are heard early in their careers.
A major part of her vision revolves around improving athlete support systems, with Zimbabwe’s Sports Minister particularly vocal about her disagreement with the idea of paying prize money to athletes at the Olympics. Coventry reflected on her own journey to Olympic success and expressed her belief that the real challenges for athletes come long before they reach the podium. “My hardest part of my journey was becoming an Olympian,” she shared, highlighting the importance of providing direct support for athletes at every stage of their development.
She argued that the IOC should focus on helping athletes earlier in their careers, rather than relying solely on prize money, which she doesn’t believe should be the main form of support for Olympic competitors. “I would rather find more ways of directly supporting athletes—every athlete, not just the medal winners,” she said. Her vision includes creating pathways that help all athletes, from grassroots to elite levels, reach their potential.
At the heart of Coventry’s campaign is the belief in collaboration, embodied by the African philosophy of Ubuntu—“I am because we are.” She believes this philosophy is crucial for bringing the IOC together, especially in the face of complex challenges like those surrounding transgender athletes, the participation of athletes from conflict zones, and the evolving sports program. “If we’re not working together, we’re working against each other,” Coventry stated, underscoring her commitment to fostering unity within the IOC. She sees collaboration as a way to ensure that every decision made by the IOC considers the diverse needs of all stakeholders, ensuring the Olympic movement remains strong and inclusive.
Coventry also emphasized the need to strengthen National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and federations, particularly in developing regions like Africa. She suggested that technology, including AI, could be key in bridging the gap between well-funded NOCs and those still in the early stages of development. Drawing on her own experiences in Zimbabwe and the United States, Coventry noted the stark differences in resources and infrastructure but remains hopeful that with the right support, developing NOCs can catch up. This includes providing the necessary infrastructure, such as strong internet connections and key personnel, to help national federations function more effectively. “We need to work with governments and the African Union to prioritize strengthening sports commissions and national federations,” she said, underscoring the importance of governance and accountability.
On the topic of sports systems in Africa, Coventry shared her belief that the continent can create a successful model for athlete development, similar to the United States, but adapted to its unique context. She pointed to the success of East African marathon runners as an example of what can be achieved through collaboration between countries. “We need to look at how we can implement a system that works for us within our own context,” she said. By creating stronger relationships between universities and sports programs across the continent, Coventry believes Africa can develop its own sustainable sports systems that support athletes both domestically and on the international stage.
Finally, Coventry touched on the challenges facing boxing in the Olympic Games. While acknowledging the governance issues within the sport’s international federation, she reiterated the IOC’s commitment to ensuring that boxing remains part of the Olympic program. “We need to make sure that boxing athletes have the opportunity to box at the Olympic Games,” she said, stressing that the focus must always be on the athletes and their ability to compete in a fair and credible environment.
As the IOC elections draw near, Coventry remains focused on her vision for a more inclusive, collaborative, and supportive Olympic movement. Whether it’s advocating for gender equality, improving athlete support systems, or helping African nations take a more prominent role in the Olympics, she is committed to ensuring that the Games continue to inspire and unite athletes from all corners of the world.
Coventry faces competition from six (6) others in the race for the IOC Presidency, with 65-year-old Spaniard Juan Antonio Samaranch, the IOC’s current vice-president, whose father of the same name, previously served as IOC President from 1980 to 2001, considered one of the favourites.
Frenchman David Lappartient the World Cycling President, Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, Japanese businessman and international gymnastics head Morinari Watanabe, and Swedish-Briton Johan Eliasch, the president of the international ski and snowboard federation, and World Athletics President, Sebastian Coe, complete the list of candidates.
The new IOC President will be elected at the 144th IOC Session to be held from 18 to 21 March 2025 in Greece.
