Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
WELCOME HOME ICON . . . International Olympic Committee president-elect Kirsty Coventry (centre) melts into a smile in appreciation after receiving a bouquet of flowers from Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts, Recreation and Culture Emily Jesaya (left) upon her arrival at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport yesterday. Looking on is the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Dr Nicholas Moyo. – Picture: Justin Mutenda 
Ellina Mhlanga, Zimpapers Sports Hub
“It was the longest 30 minutes of my life.”
Those were the words of an emotional Kirsty Coventry yesterday as she returned home to a hero’s welcome following her historic election as president-elect of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The 41-year-old sporting icon, who also serves as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, made history last week in Greece by becoming the first African – and the first woman – to be elected to the most powerful seat in world sport.
She will officially take over from outgoing IOC president Thomas Bach in June.
Still soaking in the magnitude of her achievement, Coventry addressed an elated crowd of sports stakeholders, Government officials, and supporters who gathered at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to welcome her back.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for walking this journey with me, because all of you have played a significant role,” she said, holding back tears.
“This is not just my success – it’s our success. I’m really proud to have been there sitting . . . I’m sure some of you watched.
“We all voted. And where I was sitting, I couldn’t hear what the president (Bach)said. So we all thought we were going to the second round.
“Then all of a sudden, he gets up and walks out of the room, and we thought – what’s happening? Then we had to sit and wait. It was the longest 30 minutes of my life.”
The double Olympic gold medallist added: “In sport, you get in, you do it, and the result comes immediately. But in this case, we just had to wait.
“When he finally announced my name, I was truly taken aback. It was a very proud moment, to stand there knowing our country’s flag would be raised once again around the world. It was recognition not just for me, but for everything we’re doing back home – for what His Excellency and the leadership are doing.”
Coventry is no stranger to historic moments. Widely regarded as Africa’s most successful Olympian, she won seven Olympic medals – two gold, four silver and one bronze – across the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Games.
Her breakout moment came in Athens in 2004, when she won three medals, including Zimbabwe’s first Olympic gold since independence. Fittingly, it was in Greece once again, at the 144th IOC session last week, that her Olympic journey came full circle.
“It’s been a long six months, but an exciting six months,” she said.
“To go back to Greece, where my Olympic journey really started in 2004 . . . On the first day of the session, we went to ancient Olympia. We met the newly-elected president of Greece – he had been in office for just five days, and his first responsibility was to welcome the IOC.
“When I got to talk with him, he said, ‘Oh yes, you’re one of the candidates.’ I said, ‘Yes, I’m hoping Greece brings me the same luck as it did in 2004.’
“He replied, ‘You’re the only lady.’ I said, ‘Yes, I am.’ Then he told me, ‘Back in the day in ancient Olympia, they only elected female mayors.’
“So I said, ‘Well, you should mention that in your speech!’”
That light-hearted moment aside, Coventry described the experience as “a very busy but special three days.”
“Greece will now forever hold a special place in my heart. First in 2004 for those medals. Now, in 2024, for being elected as the 10th president of the IOC – the first woman, the first African.”
At 41, Coventry also becomes the second-youngest IOC president in history – behind only the organisation’s founder, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who assumed the role at 33.
“Not the youngest,” she laughed. “I would love to say I am, but the youngest was our founding president, Pierre de Coubertin. So, I’ve got a good decade on him. But the youngest in a long time!”
Coventry also expressed deep gratitude to her support system during the gruelling campaign period.
“To my Permanent Secretary, my Deputy Minister (Emily Jesaya), and all the stakeholders – thank you. Each and every one of you played a significant role these past few months,” she said.
“There was a lot of balancing to do. The team picked up a lot of the slack, and I’m very grateful.”
She reserved special thanks for her husband, Tyrone Seward, and their family.
“To my husband and my family – thank you for holding down the fort. Without your support, this would not have been possible. I am extremely excited to be home, I must say.”
The warm welcome at the airport featured a host of prominent figures from Zimbabwean sport, including Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) president Thabani Gonye, Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) chairperson Gerald Mlotshwa, commissioners Colleen de Jong, Allen Chiura, and Titus Zvomuya, SRC director-general Eltah Nengomasha, and Ministry director for sport and recreation Eugenia Chidhakwa.
Others included ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi and former ZOC chief executive Anna Mguni.
Zimbabwe, and indeed Africa, has every reason to celebrate.
From the swimming pools of Athens to the corridors of Olympic power, Kirsty Coventry’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, excellence, and belief.
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