In a historic decision on Thursday, Kirsty Coventry was elected as the first woman and first African president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The election took place during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, where Coventry secured 49 out of 97 votes in the first round, achieving an immediate majority. She outpaced notable contenders, including Spain’s Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., who received 28 votes, and Britain’s Sebastian Coe, who garnered eight votes.
A New Era for the IOC
A former Olympic swimming champion from Zimbabwe, Coventry has been a prominent figure in the Olympic movement for years. Her election marks a significant milestone in the organization’s commitment to diversity and representation.
Coventry expressed her gratitude following the victory, stating, “It’s a signal that we’re truly global and that we have evolved into an organization that is truly open to diversity, and we’re going to continue,” according to Reuters.
Her presidency is expected to focus on athlete rights, gender equity, sustainability, and expanding Olympic participation in Africa. However, concerns have been raised regarding her political affiliations, as she currently serves as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation.
Mixed Reactions and Challenges Ahead
Public reaction has been divided, with many celebrating her appointment as a progressive step forward, while others express skepticism over her policies. Social media has been abuzz with both support and criticism, particularly regarding her stance on gender-related issues in sports.
One user on X wrote, “Coe would have defended the women’s category. Coventry will likely continue more of the same IOC garbage that let two men win women’s Olympic boxing gold last year.”
As Coventry prepares to officially assume her role on June 24, 2024, she will face key challenges, including managing the rising costs of hosting the Olympics, navigating geopolitical tensions, and adapting to changes in global sports governance.
She succeeds Thomas Bach, becoming the 10th president of the IOC, and her leadership will shape the future of the Olympic Games and international sports.
Source: Tovima.com
στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσειςLatest News
Road Closures, Traffic Changes in Athens for March 25 Celebrations
The Hellenic Police have announced a series of traffic regulations affecting key streets and avenues in central Athens on Monday, March 24, and Tuesday, March 25 with adjustments to public transportation routes
Heathrow Airport Resumes Operations After Major Power Outage
The UK government has temporarily lifted restrictions on overnight flights to help clear the backlog, while Heathrow is focusing on relocating aircraft and restoring normal operations
Glacier Melt Accelerating at Record Pace Due to Climate Change
Glacier melt is accelerating faster than ever, warns UNESCO, threatening sea levels, water supply, and ecosystems.
Greece Shines as Top Travel Destination for 2025
This year, national bookings for the summer are up an average of 8% compared to last year, with prices for new tourism packages rising by 5%
EU Summit: Greece Pushes for Defense Spending Flexibility, Migration Reform
In addition to commenting on defense spending and migration at the end of the EU Summit, the Greek PM voiced concerns over Turkey's democratic backsliding
Greek Banks Outperform Eurozone in Key Financial Metrics
The four systemic Greek banking groups achieved combined net profits of approximately 4.3 billion euros last year, primarily driven by their organic results.
Eurostat: Greek Job Vacancy Rate 4th Last in Eurozone
Job vacancies, as defined by Eurostat, include positions that must be filled immediately or within a maximum of three months
Moody’s Upgrades Athens City to Baa3
“The City of Athens looks toward the future with confidence, reinforced by positive ratings that confirm its steady course,” the statement reads. The global firm raised the rating to Baa3 from Ba1, with a stable outlook, while also upgrading its baseline credit assessment (BCA) to Baa3 from Ba1.
Greek Tourism: Beyond Records, Toward Sustainable Growth
If Greece aims for a 5% share in both markets, combined with overall international tourism growth, the country could see an additional 19 million tourists by 2040.
ELSTAT: Arrivals and Overnight Stays Up 3.6%, 2.7%, Respectively in Jan.
According to data from the relevant survey, tourist arrivals at accommodations in January 2025 reached 742,865, while overnight stays totaled 1,656,673. This represents an increase of 3.6% in arrivals and 2.7% in overnight stays compared to the same month in 2024
![Airbnb: Εκρηκτική άνοδος για το φετινό Πάσχα – Η εικόνα της Ελλάδας [γράφημα]](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Airbnb-1-768x512-1-90x90.jpg)
