Kirsty Coventry: Breaking Olympic Records with Youth, Ubuntu, and a Strong Start

Lausanne – Kirsty Coventry has made history as the first woman, the first African, and the youngest candidate to be elected as the tenth President of the Olympic Committee.

Some may contend that this outcome was foreseeable, given that Thomas Bach had chosen her as his successor.

While Bach’s endorsement was undoubtedly significant, other factors must have influenced the decision-makers who opted to support her during the initial voting round—an outcome that many seasoned Olympic analysts deemed improbable.

Coventry garnered 49 votes out of 97, with Samaranch following in second place with 28 votes, leaving the remaining candidates far behind.

In an interview we arranged for colleagues around the globe, she remarked: “First and foremost, I would have loved to be the youngest-ever candidate, but most of you know that our founder, Pierre de Coubertin, was actually the youngest at age 33, so I’ve got a good decade on him, which I take pride in. But truly, it’s a tremendous honor to be part of this race.”

What transpired?

She was correct, but what led to such a swift and overwhelming vote count? Several factors could have contributed to this phenomenon. One possibility lies in the recent developments over the past few months.

The traditional IOC establishment may have experienced some upheaval following a noteworthy event: four out of the seven candidates are presidents of international federations and ex officio members—meaning they retain membership as long as they hold their office.

This unique, albeit temporary, membership arrangement was established in the 1990s.

The background

Juan Antonio Samaranch, the then IOC president, had responded to the persistent appeals of Primo Nebiolo, who also founded the ASOIF, to integrate them into the Olympic community.

To satisfy this request, Samaranch granted Nebiolo the ex officio status, effectively preventing him from contesting the IOC presidency.

This year, however, the interpretation of this rule has evolved, although the peculiar procedure remains: if one of these ex officio candidates had triumphed, they would have needed to undergo another vote to be accepted as individual members.

The challenge

The sudden influx of support for these four presidents seems to have created some apprehension within the Olympic community.

Each candidate is a highly skilled leader with a commendable track record in their areas of expertise.

While their insights and initiatives received intense scrutiny, they struggled to make a meaningful impact.

Had any of them prevailed, it might have undermined the foundations of the current Olympic framework.

Nevertheless, their candidacies are likely to inspire constructive reflection, as collaboration with international federations must grow more coherent and transparent, especially in these challenging times.

We hope that any negative sentiments do not leave enduring scars; it would be unfortunate, as the world of sports needs its finest leaders at this moment.

Ubuntu philosophy

Kirsty has consistently conveyed her commitment to the Ubuntu philosophy, which emphasizes collectivism over individualism.

Ubuntu asserts that our humanity is shaped by society: “I am because we are.”

This guiding principle will be tested in the upcoming months and years, particularly in the often individualistic realm of sports management.

A woman’s practical approach to interpersonal dynamics may prove especially beneficial, and it will be intriguing to observe her navigate this new chapter.

Another consideration

The majority of IOC members also took into account the age issue, which mandates retirement at 70. Although this rule is outdated and increasingly questionable, it could have posed complications had a candidate in their sixties been elected.

At the same time, this decision reflects that the Olympic community is receptive to youth and women’s leadership.

The fact that Coventry was elected in the first round, with Samaranch achieving a solid second place, indicates that 80% of members opted for an internal solution.

Even the athletes bypassed the initiatives of the federal presidents—an interesting trend.

We can only conclude that this novelty is captivating, potentially bringing forth numerous new and positive outcomes, although significant challenges will undoubtedly arise.

Kirsty has persistently told us: “You must know how to organize yourself in every circumstance, even in those that are unexpectedly difficult.”

She also assured us of her respect for journalists, and her initial act upon accepting our invitation demonstrated this commitment.

Now we must continue on that journey.