“For me, it is not about the function, it is not about power”

Kirsty Coventry, the first woman chosen in the highest position in the world sport, had the first discussion with journalists, a dialogue in which various themes were reached.

This meeting was occasioned by the fact that on Monday, June 23, she will take over the CIO's management mandate. Olympic medal septuple, the former Zimbabwe swimmer was chosen on March 20 in the first round to hold this position.

Preparing to run one of the most powerful institutions in world sport, the former swimmer insisted that his motivation does not come from prestige or authority, but from the desire to inspire and make the difference. “I want to be the inspiration for another little girl or another boy from all over the world to follow his dreams,” she said.

Despite the fact that her new role is described as one of the most influential sports, Coventry says she has never sought the post for the sake of power: “For me, this is not about the function. It was not about power. Sometimes these things are in your way and make you focus on wrong things. I am simply not so. But I am very proud to have chosen our first woman president. And I will do my best to make sure it will be a success.

Coventry is also determined to encourage an environment in which to collaborate more within the IOC. She invited the members to stay in Lausanne for another two nights after the term of office, for a “pause and reflection workshop” meant to encourage the opening and new ideas. “The way I like to drive is through collaboration. I like people to say:” Yes, I had a say and this was the direction in which I went. “In this way, you get an authentic involvement,” emphasized the one who is the tenth person in front of the CIO.

Coventry also said that she is not interested in the traps of her new role. Her predecessor, Bach, was sitting regularly in an apartment at the five-star Lausanne Palace, at a cost of about 2,350 euros per night, covered by IOC. “We will not stay at that hotel. I really want my children to grow up dealing with normal things, such she pointed out.

Kirsty Coventry and his female models

Asked and what are his female models, Kirsty Coeventry mentioned his grandmother and trainer. “I was very lucky to have strong women around me. My grandfather died when my mother was at the end of adolescence, so my grandmother was a single mother of three children for most of her life. She was an incredibly powerful woman and she did a great job, but she had a successful career. my sister”.

She also spoke with admiration about her former coach, Kim Brickin, who managed a demanding career, while raising two young children, having her husband abroad. “It is not always easy, but it is possible, and she showed me how,” said Kirsty Coventry.

She herself, Coventry says she hopes to be the same type of model for her two daughters and for the next generation. “I hope I can be that person for someone else. I have this constant memory of the fact that I have two daughters, that I want to make them a little easier and a little more equitable the journey of their lives,” she said.

The first challenges of Kirsty Coventry's mandate

Kirsty Coventry will face in his mandate with the potential reintegration of Russia, which was banned after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and with the US president, Donald Trump, in preparation for Los Angeles 2028, the tasks for transsexual women who are trying to visit the US to compete in women from which Coventry comes.

Also, next year are scheduled the Winter Olympics in northern Italy, from Milan and Cortina d'ampezzo, and a decision should be made on the place of summer games of 2036, with candidates from India, South Africa and the Middle East being expected.