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Kirsty Coventry, who hails from Zimbabwe and has won seven Olympic swimming medals, was elected President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on March 20, 2025, during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece. She will officially assume the role on June 24, 2025, succeeding Thomas Bach.
This marked a historic moment as she became the first woman and the first African to head the International Olympic Committee. Her profound connections to water sports, along with her vigorous promotion of athlete welfare and equality, could significantly influence water polo — enhancing its visibility and contributing to its worldwide advancement.
Aquatic Roots: A Leader Who Gets the Pool
Coventry is more than an Olympian; she is among the most decorated swimmers in history and has long been involved in aquatic governance. She held the position of chair for the IOC Athletes’ Commission (2018–2021) and has collaborated closely with World Aquatics (formerly FINA). After her election, World Aquatics publicly congratulated her, describing her presidency as “a victory for all aquatic sports,” which includes swimming, diving, and water polo.
This direct connection indicates she comprehends the requirements and difficulties of water-based sports — ranging from infrastructure and funding to athlete development. IOC Presidents have traditionally come from diverse sports backgrounds (such as fencing and yachting), making Coventry’s appointment to the top role notable for her uncommon focus on aquatic sports.
Gender Equality: Possible Transformation for Women’s Water Polo
The men’s Olympic water polo tournament at Tokyo 2020 featured 12 teams, whereas the women’s tournament had just 10. This gap was partly tackled at Paris 2024, but complete parity has not yet been attained.
Coventry has expressed strong views regarding gender equality. In her campaign, she declared: > “We have to advocate for equality in leadership and competition. We’ve reached gender balance in the number of athletes — now we must achieve this in all sports and all positions.”
In light of that position, it is reasonable to anticipate her endorsement of World Aquatics if it suggests expanding the women’s Olympic tournament to 12 teams, in line with her broader agenda for equality.
Emphasis on Developing Countries
Coventry has historically championed regions that lack adequate representation. In her role as Minister of Sport in Zimbabwe, she advocated for grassroots development and improved access to facilities. She currently supervises Olympic Solidarity as IOC President, which provides funding for athlete scholarships and infrastructure in developing countries.
This could aid the advancement of water polo in areas such as Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, where the sport is not as developed.
Indeed, World Aquatics has already started to broaden its scholarship program in 2024 by providing international opportunities for water polo athletes — and Coventry’s presidency could bolster these efforts.
