Kirsty Coventry, the first woman and first African to become President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has officially assumed her role.
Coventry, who won two Olympic gold medals in swimming for Zimbabwe during her athletic career, was elected president in the elections held in March. She succeeds Thomas Bach, who won Olympic gold in team fencing in 1976.
At the official handover ceremony held on Monday at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, Coventry presented Bach with the Olympic Order in gold. The event was attended by over 700 guests, including political leaders, athletes, delegates, IOC members, and staff.
During the ceremony, Coventry thanked the former president and addressed the audience by saying:
“I am truly honored to walk this journey with you, and I am excited for what lies ahead over the next eight years, because I know I have the best team to support me and our movement.”