Kirsty Coventry: First woman at the top of the IOC - a historical choice!

Kirsty Coventry: First woman at the top of the IOC - a historical choice!

KIRSTY COVENTRY is the first woman to be chosen президентin of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This historical election took place during the 144th IOC general assembly in a Greek holiday resort. Coventry, a two -time Olympic champion and former athlete representative, prevailed in an exciting competition against six male competitors, to which prominent names such as Sebastian Coe and Juan Antonio Samaranch jr. belonged. The election was decided after the first ballot, which underlines their clear support among the IOC members. Coventry explained that her choice was a significant step for gender equality and promised to involve the members of the IOC more. Her taking office as President is planned for June 24, 2024, while Thomas Bach remains in office until then.

Coventry, which took part in five Olympic Games and has extensive experience in sports management, is faced with numerous challenges, including the global political situation and dealing with Russia. In addition, Donald Trump's return will be discussed as an unpredictable Olympic host. Climate change, artificial intelligence and the search for new sources of money for the IOC will also be the central issues of their presidency. In the past, however, Coventry was also controversial because she was in Zimbabwe as a minister in Zimbabwe, but was ultimately acquitted.

a milestone for women in sports

The choice of Kirsty Coventry as IOC President marks an important moment in the history of sport. Already at the Olympic Summer Games in Paris, which begin on August 26, 2024, gender parity is reached for the first time, so that the same number of women and men compete in competitions. The development of women in sport was not straightforward for a long time. For example, no women took part in the first Olympic Games in Athens in Athens. It was not until 1900 in Paris women were allowed to take part in the games, if only to a small extent.

The history of women in Olympic sport is characterized by struggles for equality. Helene de Pourtales won the first gold medal for women in open competition, while Baron Pierre de Coubertin, then IOC president, was against women's competitions. It was not until 1984 that the women's marathon was added to the Olympic program, followed by the introduction of numerous other disciplines for women over the years. The IOC currently has a number of women of 41% in its ranks, but the proportion of female coaches was only 13% in the last games. To counteract this, the IOC starts the "Women in Sport High Performance Pathway" program to specifically promote trainers.

With Kirsty Coventry at the head of the IOC, it is expected that the topic of gender equality will be further strengthened and promoted. Your choice could not only be a change in the leadership of the IOC, but also in the entire Olympic movement.

For further information on this topic and the importance of the commitment of women in sport, see Wissen.de .