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LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Kirsty Coventry believes her means to stability a number of roles—mom, sports activities minister, and athlete advocate—units her aside as a high candidate for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Zimbabwe’s sports activities minister, a place she has held for the previous seven years, mentioned how she has navigated tight budgets in an inflationary surroundings, managed excessive expectations, and balanced her function as Chairperson of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.
These challenges, she famous, have outfitted her to deal with international expectations for the function of IOC president.
Coventry is considered one of seven candidates competing for the IOC presidency on the 144th IOC Session in Greece from 18 to 21 March 2025.
In an interview with AIPS on Monday, Coventry, a seven-time Olympic medalist, spoke candidly about her priorities, together with gender equality, transgender inclusion, and athlete help. She additionally addressed international sports activities points akin to corruption, media engagement, and battle decision, outlining a transparent imaginative and prescient to reshape the Olympic Movement.
As a mom of two, Coventry has balanced the tasks of main Zimbabwe’s sports activities ministry, working her basis, and serving on the IOC Athletes’ Commission, all whereas elevating a younger household.
“When I had my first baby, she’s now turning six in May, I was leading the Athletes’ Commission, appointed minister, and running my foundation,” she stated. “Before she was one, she had been to 10 different countries. My youngest, Lily, has already been to five. It’s a normal way of life for us, and I think it shows that women are just as capable as men, even while being full-time mothers, wives, and daughters.”
Coventry’s push for gender equality inside the IOC features a deal with management roles, the place she believes ladies are able to take cost. While the IOC has made strides with 42 p.c feminine illustration, Coventry insists that extra work stays, particularly inside International Federations and National Olympic Committees.
“Women are ready. They’re ready to lead,” she stated.
“I look at it as an opportunity to push through boundaries, so that when my two girls are growing up, they don’t have the same boundaries, they don’t have the same pushback… So that is a little bit of why I’m running, (but) not the main reason, but I think a very strong reason to be able to put my hand up and say, Let’s do it. It’s time.”
On the controversial problem of transgender inclusion in sports activities. Coventry known as for a unified framework. She proposed bringing collectively International Federations and medical specialists to develop a typical strategy based mostly on scientific analysis.
“We need to take a leadership role,” she stated. “Each sport has its own challenges, but we must protect the female category while respecting individual rights.”
On the query of giving athletes prize cash or facilitating funding, Coventry expressed her desire for direct funding over prize cash for athletes.
“The hardest time for me as an athlete was the journey to becoming an Olympian,” she shared. “I’d rather focus on supporting athletes before and after the Games, helping them build sustainable careers.”
As international conflicts proceed to influence athletes, Coventry careworn the IOC’s accountability to make sure participation from all areas, emphasizing the significance of a holistic strategy to athletes from battle zones.
She additionally highlighted her efforts to fight corruption and match-fixing, drawing on her work with Interpol and strengthened laws in Zimbabwe. “It’s about creating a cleaner atmosphere in sports from the grassroots up,” she stated.
Addressing considerations concerning the IOC’s media engagement, Coventry known as for extra transparency and collaboration to construct belief. “We must strengthen our engagement with the media,” she stated.
Seven candidates will vie for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through the 144th IOC Session, set to happen from 18 to 21 March 2025 in Greece.
The candidates offered their programmes in a closed session to the total IOC membership at a gathering in Lausanne, Switzerland, on January 30, 2025.