Olympics have a new president!

KIRSTY COVENTRY stormed past her six male competitors to win the election for President of the Interntionl Olympic Committee (IOC). She is the first woman president; at 41 she is the youngest ever; and she is the first African to hold the post.

The post of president is seen as an extremely powerful one in international sport. Kirsty, who is currently Zimbabwe’s Minister of Sport, is already a member of the IOC Board, but this promotion will enable her to modernise the Olympics. She will focus on making the Games sustainable, as well as bringing in new technology to enhance the Games for competitors and the audience.

Kirsty is a former swimmer, who won two Olympic god medals. She promised that as President she would work to empower athletes. She is known to favour imposing a blanket ban on transgender women competing in women’s competitions at the Olympics: she sees this as protecting the female competitions.

“It’s a really powerful signal,” said Kirsty after the result was announced. “It’s a signal that we’re truly global and that we have evolved into an organisation that is truly open to diversity and we’re going to continue walking that road in the next eight years.”

“I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people,” she continued. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am full aware of my responsibilities as a role model.”

A total of 97 representatives were able to vote in the election. Kirsty secured 49 votes, winning on the first round. Juan Antonio Samaranch came second, with 28 votes. UK contender Sebastian Coe ended up in third place, winning just eight votes. Interviewed after the result was announced, he congratulated the winning candidate – but sounding rather deflated. David Lappartient from France and Morinari Watanabe received four votes each and Prince Feisal al Hussein from Jordan and Johan Eliasach from Sweden received two votes each.

The new president will begin work on ensuring that the Winter Games which will be held In Italy next February are a success.

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