Kirsty Coventry: New Head of the IOC

Switzerland, Jun 23 (RHC) Today, former Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry formally assumed the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Germany's Thomas Bach symbolically handed Coventry a key to the organization's headquarters, which she will hold for the next eight years.

Coventry was elected president of the IOC in March and became the first woman and the first African to hold the highest office in world sport.

The double Olympic swimming champion obtained 49 of the 97 votes in the first round of voting among seven candidates, and at only 41 years of age, will be the tenth person to head the world sports body.

For his part, Bach is stepping down after 12 years in office, but will remain linked to the IOC as honorary president.

Source: Prensa Latina