Our beloved Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry has made some great strides. The former Olympian has been listed as one of the members of the International Olympics Committee.
The International Olympics Committee is a non-governmental organisation based in Lausaunne, Switzerland. Its main function is to organise modern summer and winter Olympics. A significant portion of the committee members are former Olympians.
Kirsty Coventry is said to be Africa’s most decorated Olympian. She is a world record holder in swimming. No wonder she was considered fit to be a part of this committee. The minister was part of the 8 people delegation that accompanied our 5 athletes to the Olympics.
She was voted on by the organisation at an IOC session held on July 17th. Following the vote, Kirsty Coventry officially had her status within the organisation changed. Coventry was previously listed as an active athlete, however, she will now be considered an āIndependent Individual IOC Memberā. As a member of the IOC, she will serve an eight-year term. She will continue to hold her position in the Athletesā Commission until the conclusion of the 2020 Games.
Some Zimbabwean citizens wonder whether she will approach this role differently from her approach to her Minister role. This is because citizens have previously mourned the seeming lack of support for Zimbabwe’s sporting sector which Coventry heads. One such incident was when the national cricket team showcased their tattered shoes and had to rely on shoe donations from the well wishing Puma Company.
Congratulations on this new role Kirsty Coventry.
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