Seoul Gazette - New IOC chief Coventry ready to deal with Trump

Coventry, the first woman and African to be elected to the most powerful role in sports governance, added: "I have been dealing with, let's say, difficult men in high positions since I was 20 years old."

The Zimbabwean, who at 41 is also the youngest person to be elected to the position, said she was confident Trump would put all his weight behind the staging of the 2028 Games.

The 1984 Los Angeles Games were boycotted by the Soviet Union, then-East Germany and Cuba and some observers have speculated that the 2028 Olympics could be susceptible to boycotts owing to Trump's unpredictable foreign policy.

Coventry does have political experience as she is Zimbabwe's sports minister, something that was criticised during her campaign as the 2023 election of the government was declared unfair and undemocratic. She said she would be stepping down from her ministerial role.

"My firm belief is that President Trump is a huge lover of sports, he will want these games to be significant, he will want them to be a success," said Coventry.

"We will not waver from our values and our values of solidarity and ensuring every athlete that qualifies for the Olympic Games has the possibility to attend the Olympic Games and be safe."

She added that on the thorny issue of transgender athletes -- Trump has said there are only two genders, male and female -- the IOC would stand its ground.

"So in terms of Donald Trump, again, it's going to take communication. As I just said, we're going to create a task force that's going to look at the transgender issue and the protection of the female category," she said.

She said a decision would be made "collectively" with the international federations. "That decision will be made very clear and we won't move from that decision."

Coventry said her election was "significant" for women and paid a heartfelt and emotional tribute to veteran American IOC member Anita DeFrantz, who was the first woman to run for the presidential post in a previous election.

- 'Paved the way' -

Despite being frail, DeFrantz had flown from the United States to Greece to vote for Coventry.

"There have been incredible women that have come before me, one of them sitting in the room today which I might get a little emotional about," she said.

"Anita DeFrantz was a huge inspiration to me and to many women and I was just really proud that I could make her proud.

"She was the first woman to run for this position and like I said she inspired me. She's been a huge mentor of mine since I came into the movement in 2013.

"Women like her paved the way for more women like me and I want to pave the way for younger generations, especially because I have two young daughters."

Coventry said that in addition to her victory, the Youth Summer Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, next year would shine a light on what it meant to be African.

"I know it's going to be an incredible time for the world to see who we are as Africans and what we mean and what we stand for and how we are willing to embrace everyone," she said.

Coventry, who has won seven of Zimbabwe's eight Olympic medals including two golds, was unapologetic for serving in the Zimbabwean administration.

"In terms of my country, I chose to want to try and create change from the inside," she said.

"It gets criticised and that's OK, because at the end of the day, I don't think you can stand on the sidelines and scream and shout for change.

"I believe you have to be seated at the table to try and create it."

Unlike some of her rivals, Coventry ran a low-key campaign and relied on her husband Tyrone Seward, who she said she had hugged her victory.

"I will ring my parents first, my eldest daughter came up and said 'you won!' but I do not think she realises that life is going to change," said Coventry.

B.Lee--SG