Olympic gold medalist Kirsty Coventry makes IOC history as first female president

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Kirsty Coventry was elected the new president of the International Olympic Committee Thursday. 

Coventry, 41, becomes the first woman and first African named president of the IOC.

"It is a signal that we are truly global," Coventry said of her election.

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Kirsty Coventry reacts after she was announced as the new IOC president at the International Olympic Committee's 144th session in Costa Navarino, Greece, Thursday, March 20, 2025.  (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Coventry, a two-time Olympic swimming gold medalist, won in the first round of voting among seven candidates voted on by 97 IOC members. Coventry gets an eight-year mandate that runs through 2033.

The voters in the exclusive invited club of IOC members include royal family members, former lawmakers and diplomats, business leaders, sports officials and Olympic athletes.

It was not expected a candidate would be elected in the first round. Several rounds were predicted. Coventry received the exact majority of 49 necessary votes. 

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Kirsty Coventry laughs during a press conference after she was elected the new IOC president at the International Olympic Committee's 144th session in Costa Navarino, Greece, Thursday, March 20, 2025.  (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Others in the running were four presidents of sports governing bodies: Track and field's Sebastian Coe, skiing's Johan Eliasch, cycling’s David Lappartient and gymnastics' Morinari Watanabe. Also contending was Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan.

"I will make all