8 months ago
27
President of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) Christopher Samuda has thrown his support behind the newly elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Kirsty Coventry.
Following a vote at the recent IOC Session held in Greece during the week, Coventry topped a field of seven candidates to become the 10th IOC president and the first female to hold the position.
A seven-time Zimbabwean Olympic medallist and a five-time world record-holder, Coventry is the first African to be elected to the position and aged 41, she also made history as the youngest IOC president.
She is set to take over the role after incumbent president Thomas Bach steps down on June 24.
Coventry also currently serves as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.
In her acceptance speech, Coventry said the win was more than just a personal achievement, but a historic landmark for African women.
“I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC president, and also the first from Africa. I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model,” she said.
“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamt of this moment.”
HISTORIC WIN
Samuda congratulated Coventry on the historic win and expressed his trust in her abilities to lead the IOC.
He believes with the support for the IOC and its various national committees, she will be able to meet the expectations set before her.
“Kirsty undoubtedly has the credentials and now has the opportunity to re-write her resume in creating a precedent by which others will be judged and on which she will be judged by history.
“The jury has begun to deliberate, and its verdict will be a measure of the evidence of her accomplishments. I am confident that Kirsty will impress,” Samuda said.
“The campaigning is over, and now what lies before Kirsty is a plethora of expectations of members, National Olympic Committees, and countless stakeholders who are not only looking for her to deliver, but deliverance.”
It will be an immediate test of mettle for Coventry as the IOC’s calendar will have the 2026 Winter Olympic Games and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games coming up.
Samuda believes both competitions could prove a legacy builder for Coventry and her first main responsibilities as IOC president.
“The LA 2028 Summer Olympic Games will be the greatest test of her ability to govern a team strategically and inclusively and in managing personalities, divergent opinions, doubting Thomases, intemperate aspirations, policy issues, political overtones, gender matters, events, experiences, success and its nemesis failure,” he explained.
“But before the LA Games we have the 2026 Winter Games in Italy which one may consider to be the dress rehearsal where there will be no time for costumed speeches and backstage angst. It’s now the real deal on centrestage.”
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