七个月前，当托马斯·巴赫提出“新时代呼唤新领导”时，很少有人会预料到，国际奥委会的下任主席不仅是一位女性，更来自非洲。然而，这一切成为现实。2025年3月20日，津巴布韦传奇游泳运动员克尔斯蒂·考文垂在希腊举行的第144届国际奥委会全会上成功当选主席，成为IOC历史上首位女性和非洲籍领导人。
考文垂的胜出令外界震惊。津巴布韦国家体育新闻协会主席梅卢利·西班达坦言，外界普遍认为塞巴斯蒂安·科和胡安·安东尼奥·萨马兰奇更具优势，因此考文垂的胜利令人难以置信。苏丹体育记者穆罕默德·穆夫提也表示，作为最年轻且唯一的女性候选人，他原本并不看好她能在首轮胜出。塞内加尔资深记者马马杜·库梅则认为，虽然考文垂的竞选纲领具吸引力，但她首轮以绝对优势胜出仍让人意外。
尼日利亚记者奥比·米切尔曾在选前预测，女性议题或将为考文垂带来优势，但他也未曾想到她能在首轮即获胜。最终，这位41岁的前奥运冠军以49票领先，创造历史，成为全球体育界的非洲骄傲。
从哈拉雷到卡萨布兰卡，从基加利到科托努，非洲各地的体育界纷纷表达祝贺。贝宁资深记者菲利克斯·佩佩里佩表示，考文垂的胜选不仅为非洲女性树立榜样，也为整个大陆注入信心。非洲游泳协会主席穆罕默德·迪奥普称，这对非洲游泳乃至整个体育界都是巨大鼓舞。
考文垂的当选被视为奥林匹克运动的重要转折。穆夫提指出，她代表着性别平等和青年领导力的新方向。米切尔则认为，她的胜利有望推动更多女性在国际体育组织中担任领导职务。作为双料奥运冠军和七枚奥运奖牌得主，考文垂以坚定、公正和奉献赢得了全球认可。
然而，外界也普遍认为，考文垂的任期将充满挑战。推动性别平等、打击兴奋剂、改善发展中国家的体育设施，以及应对乌克兰、俄罗斯和白俄罗斯的政治局势，都将是她的重要课题。西班达强调，洛杉矶2028奥运会的跨性别参赛政策也将成为她无法回避的问题。
尽管面临重重挑战，考文垂已赢得非洲乃至全球的高度期待。正如库梅所说：“她的到来，为奥林匹克带来了真正意义上的变革。”
赵雪湄- May Zhao
Kirsty Coventry Elected IOC President, A Historic Moment for Africa
Seven months ago, when Thomas Bach declared that “new times call for new leaders,” few imagined that the next president of the International Olympic Committee would not only be a woman but also come from Africa. Yet on March 20, 2025, at the 144th IOC Session in Greece, Zimbabwean swimming legend Kirsty Coventry was elected IOC President, making history as both the first woman and the first African to hold the position.
Coventry’s victory took many by surprise. Mehluli Sibanda, President of the Zimbabwean National Sport Press Association, admitted that most observers had seen Sebastian Coe and Juan Antonio Samaranch as the frontrunners, and Coventry’s triumph was completely unexpected. Sudanese sports journalist Mohamed Mufti also expressed surprise, noting that as the youngest and only female candidate, Coventry’s chances initially seemed slim. Senegalese veteran journalist Mamadou Koumé remarked that although Coventry’s program was impressive, her landslide first-round victory was still astonishing.
Nigerian journalist Mitchell Obi had predicted that Coventry’s advocacy for women’s issues could work in her favor but had not anticipated a first-round win. Ultimately, the 41-year-old former Olympic champion secured 49 votes, earning a decisive victory and becoming a symbol of pride for the entire African continent.
From Harare to Casablanca, Kigali to Cotonou, voices across Africa celebrated her success. Felix Peperipe, a leading sports journalist from Benin, described Coventry as an inspiration for young African women and a source of renewed confidence for the continent. Mouhamed Diop, President of Africa Aquatics, called her election a milestone for African swimming and a testament to Coventry’s exceptional career as both an athlete and leader.
Coventry’s election is widely seen as a pivotal moment for the Olympic movement. Mufti highlighted her leadership as a step toward greater gender equality and youth representation. Obi Mitchell believes her win could usher in more opportunities for women in sports governance. As a double Olympic champion with seven medals, Coventry’s reputation for integrity, determination, and fairness has earned her global respect.
Nonetheless, many recognize that her term will be challenging. Key issues include promoting gender equality, combating doping, improving sports infrastructure in developing countries, and addressing the participation of athletes from politically troubled nations such as Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. Sibanda emphasized the complexity of managing policies on transgender athletes ahead of the LA 2028 Games.
Despite the obstacles, Coventry’s presidency has sparked hope for meaningful change. As Mamadou Koumé stated, “Her leadership marks a true transformation for the Olympic movement.”