Coventry’s IOC poll victory Africa’s win, says Adelabu

Former international footballer, Adegoke Adelabu, has described the emergence of Zimbabwe’s Sports Minister and double Olympic swimming champion, Kirsty Coventry, as new president of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) as “groundbreaking” not only for Africa, but the entire sporting world.

Coventry, the first woman to hold the most powerful role in sport, was elected the 10th IOC president at a meeting in Greece, a few days ago.

She is also the first African and, at the age of 41, the youngest person to hold the esteemed position as the world’s number one sports administrator.

Coventry got the highest number of votes among the seven candidates that contested the elections, including such high profile candidates as Juan Antonio Samaranch Jnr, Lord Sebastian Coe and Prince Faisal Hussein of Jordan.

Speaking with The Guardian, yesterday, Adelabu, a sports scientist, described Coventry’s emergence as “a new dawn” for Africa and the entire world sports.

“The world is beginning to have a shift from traditional male dominance in the area of sports administration,” Adelabu said. “I think every experience gained will transpire into the development of sport in Africa.”

Adelabu said that Coventry becoming the first African and first female to be elected IOC president is one of the greatest things to happen to the continent, adding: “It is a good thing for Africa as a whole and I want everyone to give her the support she needs to succeed.”

Coventry, who will succeed the outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach, secured an overall majority of the secret ballot after just one round, winning 49 votes out of a possible 97.

Up until 1981, there were no female members of the IOC and Coventry is only the second woman to run for the presidency. Her background and relative youth also help the IOC project a progressive and diverse image at a time when it is trying to ensure the Games remain relevant to younger generations.

As well as being a seven-time Olympic medallist and competing at five Games, Coventry has been an IOC member since 2013, where she has held several significant roles. She won the IOC presidential election despite a low-key campaign at the luxury resort of Costa Navarino, in Greece, where the vote took place, last Thursday.