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KIRSTY Coventry, the Zimbabwe Minister of Sport, has thrown her hat into the ring for the International Olympic Committee presidential race to succeed current chair Thomas Bach.

Bach declined to fulfil a third term as head of the global organisation.

The IOC yesterday announced the list of seven candidates, who have raised their hands for the hot seat and Coventry is among them in her quest to become the first female to rule the IOC.

The other candidates are

(in alphabetical order):

HRH Prince Feisal AL HUSSEIN

Lord Sebastian COE

Johan ELIASCH

David LAPPARTIENT

Juan Antonio SAMARANCH

Morinari WATANABE

They officially announced their candidacies by the deadline of midnight on September 15.

The seven candidates will compete in the election for the presidency of the IOC at the 143rd IOC Session held from 18 to 21 March 2025 in Greece.

The candidates will present their programmes, on camera, to the full IOC membership on the occasion of a meeting to be held in Lausanne (Switzerland) in January 2025.

And Coventry, 41, is the only woman running for president, and the former Olympic swimming champion, who is Zimbabwe’s most decorated Olympian, could become not only the first female president but also the first from Africa.

All IOC presidents have been men, with eight of the nine from Europe and one from the United States.

Coventry is making a historic bid to become the next IOC president, a position that has seen only male leaders throughout its 130-year history.

Coventry, who represented Zimbabwe, joins a competitive field that includes former Olympic champions, royalty, and sports federation leaders.

Among them are Sebastian Coe, a two-time gold medalist in running, and Prince Feisal al-Hussein of Jordan, who is already on the IOC board.

Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. of Spain, whose father served as IOC president for 21 years, is also a candidate.

He is one of four IOC vice presidents, adding to the list of prominent contenders.

David Lappartient, president of cycling’s governing body; Morinari Watanabe of gymnastics; and Johan Eliasch, president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, complete the roster.

Coe also heads the World Athletics Federation.

Coventry, who recently turned 41, brings both athletic and governmental experience to the table, having served as Zimbabwe’s sports minister since 2018.

Her candidacy is notable as she is the first woman to compete for the IOC presidency since Anita DeFrantz in 2001, who was eliminated in the first round of voting.

The former swimming champion, who is Zimbabwe’s most decorated Olympian, could become not only the first female president but also the first from Africa.

All IOC presidents have been men, with eight of the nine from Europe and one from the United States — Agencies/Sports Reporter.