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Olympic chief's steeliness honed by hard knocks

Cape Argus

|

June 23, 2025

FIRST impressions can be deceptive but Kirsty Coventry showed that behind a sunny disposition she will have the mettle to deal with the trick-iest of people and situations when she succeeds Thomas Bach as president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today.

Olympic chief's steeliness honed by hard knocks

Looming large on the horizon of the 41-year-old Zimbabwean - the first woman and African to occupy the post of the most powerful single figure in sport - is US President Donald Trump.

With Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Olympics, Trump will feature often on Coventry's agenda.

Trump has not been shy in giving public dressing downs to world leaders - notably Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa.

Judging by Coventry's initial response, after a crushing first-round victory in the presidential election in March, she may have Trump's measure.

"I have been dealing with, let's say, difficult men in high positions since I was 20 years old," she said, adding “communication will be key.”

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