The power of sport | Kirsty Coventry | TEDxLausanneWomen

Описание: Sport grows from the roots of community, where resilience, compassion, and connection are forged. From her grassroots foundation in Zimbabwe to the helm of global sport, Kirsty Coventry embodies how the philosophy of Ubuntu “I am because we are” reveals the full potential of sport as one of humanity’s most powerful forces for unity and peace. Kirsty Coventry was elected President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in March 2025, making history as the first female President and the second youngest ever to hold the position.

From Zimbabwe, Kirsty is a two-time Olympic gold medallist and a seven-time Olympic medallist, making her Africa’s most decorated Olympian. Her remarkable athletic career paved the way for a new chapter of leadership and advocacy on the global stage.

She has been a member of the IOC since 2013 and served as Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission from 2018 to 2021, amplifying athlete voices and championing transparency, fairness, and athlete welfare.

Back home in Zimbabwe, Kirsty served as Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, where she helped legislate against match-fixing, abuse, and sexual harassment in sport, reshaping the country’s sporting landscape to prioritize safety and integrity. She also founded the Kirsty Coventry Academy, a program dedicated to teaching children to swim and promoting access to sport for all.

Since taking office as IOC President, Kirsty has launched the “Fit for the Future” consultation, an ambitious initiative focusing on two core priorities for the Olympic Movement: delivering exceptional Olympic Games and creating a better world through sport.

Driven by her belief in the power of sport to unite, empower, and transform, Kirsty Coventry continues to inspire new generations to dream boldly, lead with purpose, and build a more inclusive future. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx