41-year-old Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe has officially taken over at the International Olympic Committee. Back in March, she was elected as the successor to 71-year-old German Thomas Bach, who had led the IOC since 2013. We remind you that this is the first woman and the first person from Africa to hold the highest position in world sports.

The two-time Olympic swimming champion from Zimbabwe surprisingly received the necessary majority of 49 out of 97 votes in the first round of voting for IOC membership from seven candidates.

In her opening remarks, Coventry promised to strengthen and expand the reach of the Olympic Games:

"I am truly honoured to be able to embark on this journey with you. I cannot wait for what lies ahead. I know I have the best team to support me and the Olympic Movement over the next eight years.

Working together and consistently, finding ways to strengthen and maintain unity in our Movement, we will ensure that we wake up every day to continue to inspire."

Now, she is due to attend a two-day workshop this week to get feedback from members on key IOC issues. The Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy, are ahead of the headquarters, while the 2028 Summer Games are in Los Angeles.

On Monday, outgoing President Thomas Bach symbolically handed over the key to the IOC headquarters and welcomed the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee:

"In this spirit of gratitude, confidence and joy, I hand over the keys to the Olympic House to Ms Kirsty Coventry, the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee.

Now she is making history: Ms Kirsty Coventry. With your election, you also sent a strong message to the world: the IOC continues to evolve.

I am deeply grateful because I have never walked this path alone... Your trust, your support, your friendship have guided me throughout my presidency. We have reformed, renewed, united around the values ​​that define our Olympic Movement."

We remind you that the reign of the 1976 Olympic fencing champion has gone through very turbulent times, including the Russian doping scandal, the coronavirus pandemic and Russia's war in Ukraine.

The ceremony in Lausanne was traditionally attended by members of the IOC and part of the presidents of some of the international federations. A representative of the BOC was not present at the event, the headquarters announced. Members of the other national Olympic committees were also absent. | BGNES