France, March 20 -- Seven-time Olympic medallist Kirsty Coventry was elected on Thursday as president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The 41-year-old Zimbabwean was chosen after the first round of voting among the 97 IOC members at the 144th IOC session and will take over on 23 June from Thomas Bach.

She will be the first woman and the first African to occupy the top job inan organisationfounded 131 years ago by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas to oversee the organisation of the Olympic Games.

Zimbabwe's aspiring Olympics supremo Coventry targets development of athletes

"This is not just a huge honour, but it is a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you that I will lead this organisation with so muc...