Kirsty Coventry took over as president of the International Olympic Committee on Monday, becoming the first woman and first African to lead the organization.
In a ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland, Coventry received the golden key to the Olympic House from outgoing president Thomas Bach of Germany.
The 41-year-old Coventry, from Zimbabwe, vowed to strengthen the Olympic movement during her eight-year term.
“Working together over these next few years and consistently finding ways to strengthen and keep united our Movement will ensure and will allow for all of us that we could wake up daily and continue to inspire the next generation, to continue to change lives, and most importantly, to make dreams come true,” she said in a statement released by the IOC.
Swanson was an Olympic swimming champion, winning the gold medals in the women’s 200-meter backstroke at the 2004 Athens Games and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. She won five other Olympic medals, as well.
“I am really honored I get to walk this journey with you. I cannot wait for everything that lies ahead,” Coventry said during the ceremony. “I know I have the best team to support me and our movement over the next eight years.”
Swanson enters the role with less than eight months until the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. The 2028 Summer Games are scheduled for Los Angeles.
Bach lauded his successor.
“With her election, you have also sent a powerful message to the world: The IOC continues to evolve,” Bach said Monday. “With Kirsty Coventry, the Olympic Movement will be in the best of hands.”
–Field Level Media
