Kirsty Coventry, the newly elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said on Monday that she is looking forward to starting her term by strengthening communication with member countries and making the IOC work better for future missions.
Coventry made history by becoming the first woman and the first African to lead the 131-year-old IOC.
The 41-year-old former Olympic swimming champion from Zimbabwe took over the presidency of the global sports body from her predecessor, Thomas Bach, on Monday during a handover ceremony at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
In her interview with China Media Group (CMG), Coventry recalled the emotional moment when she received a key from Bach at the handover ceremony.
"It was really sweet, and it was a really kind moment between him and I, and I'm looking forward to the next few years ahead," she said.
Noting that she is planning to hold a workshop with all IOC members to start her term, Coventry said the special campaign marks the beginning of an effort to help the committee work better in its future missions.
"I am ready and the very first thing I'm doing is having a workshop with all the IOC members. We are getting straight to work, having the conversations, looking at our incredible movement that we are, and starting the dialogue and starting to listen. And that's going to kick start a journey to see and ask the question of being fit for the future," she said.
Coventry secured the presidency in a decisive first-round vote during the 144th IOC Session on March 20, receiving 49 votes out of 97 ballots cast to defeat six other candidates. Her presidential term is eight years, with the possibility of seeking a four-year extension.
New IOC president pledges to strengthen communication with member countries
