Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe's retired swimming icon and current Sports Minister, is the sole African contender for the International Olympic Committee presidency, inspiring hopes for fairness in sports and empowerment for women.
A champion at the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the 41-year-old now serves as her country's Sports Minister. Ahead of the IOC vote, Coventry has shared her vision and agenda for the Olympic body.
Coventry has drawn heightened attention due to the unprecedented nature of her potential presidency. However, she expressed confidence in her ability to tackle the challenge, push boundaries, and make tough decisions.
She recently shared insights on her vision for the Olympic movement, including the issue of prize money at the Summer and Winter Games.
Coventry emphasized the importance of better supporting athletes early in their careers, particularly through direct funding, to help them overcome challenges like sponsorship struggles and financial pressure. She believes this focus would ease the path to the Olympics, as the Olympic solidarity scholarship was crucial in her own journey.
Some feel this would help to level the playing field, especially for African nations.
"I have looked at how the Olympics are run, and as much as it's called an amateur sport, there are some countries that are able to throw a lot of money to support their athletes, the lesser nations need a voice. They need a voice to be able to compete. Kirsty did that in the pool herself and Kirsty, if she does get the position, has that ability from a sort of seniority perspective to say 'you know what, if we are calling this a sport for everyone then when does the fairness comes in?'" said Dirk Viljoen, former Zimbabwe national cricketer.
Her candidacy carries profound significance for women.
"Never mind the fact that it's huge that she will be the first African, she will be the youngest. But the fact that she is a woman who is achieving that, it speaks a lot to young girls. It speaks a lot to those that are aspiring for even roles that are not in sport," said Yvonne Mangunda, sports manager and media personality.
The elections for the new head of the Olympics body will be held at the 144th IOC Session between March 18 and 21.
Zimbabwe's iconic swimmer Coventry targets groundbreaking Olympic role
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
