Srilanka, March 21 -- Kirsty Coventry, the current Sports Minister of Zimbabwe and former Olympic swimming champion, has been elected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

At 41, Coventry makes history as the first woman to hold the presidency in the IOC's 130-year history, which dates back to 1894.

She is also the 10th person to assume the role, the first African to do so, and the youngest to take the position.

Coventry was elected during the IOC's election held in Greece on March 20, winning a majority of votes in the first round.

She is set to officially begin her term in June and is expected to serve for at least the next eight years.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Dail...