Zimbabwe’s sports minister, Kirsty Coventry, has made history by becoming the first woman and first African to be elected as the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The former Olympic swimmer, aged 41, replaces Thomas Bach, who has led the organization since 2013. Coventry’s election also makes her the youngest president in the IOC’s 130-year history.

The election took place in Greece on Thursday, with Coventry securing a decisive victory in the first round of voting. She received 49 out of the 97 available votes, defeating several high-profile candidates. Among them was World Athletics president Lord Coe, who was considered a strong contender but managed to secure only eight votes. The runner-up, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., earned 28 votes, while France’s David Lappartient and Japan’s Morinari Watanabe each received four. Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and Sweden’s Johan Eliasch secured two votes each.

Coventry, who has been a member of the IOC executive board, was reportedly the preferred candidate of outgoing president Thomas Bach. Her leadership term will last at least eight years, during which she is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the IOC, given her extensive experience as an athlete and sports administrator.

As a former Olympic champion, Coventry won two gold medals in swimming and has been actively involved in sports governance. Her election marks a significant milestone for both gender and continental representation in the highest office of the Olympic movement.