History of Kirsty Coventry in Timeline

Kirsty Coventry is a Zimbabwean swimmer, politician, and sports administrator. Notably, she is the first woman and African elected as President of the International Olympic Committee, set to take office in 2025. Currently, she serves as the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in the Zimbabwean Cabinet, a role she has held since September 2018. As a former Olympic swimmer and world record holder, Coventry is celebrated as Africa's most decorated Olympian.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

September 1983: Birth of Kirsty Coventry

In September 1983, Kirsty Coventry was born. She later became a Zimbabwean swimmer, politician, and sports administrator.

Others born on this day/year

August 1991: Egerszegi's World Record

In August 1991, Krisztina Egerszegi set a world record in the 200 m backstroke, a record that would later be broken by Kirsty Coventry.

1999: Finished at Dominican Convent High School

In 1999, Kirsty Coventry finished her studies at Dominican Convent High School in Harare, Zimbabwe.

2000: Olympic Semifinalist and Sportswoman of the Year

In 2000, Kirsty Coventry became the first Zimbabwean swimmer to reach the semifinals at the Olympics and was named Zimbabwe's Sports Woman of the Year.

2000: First Olympic Appearance

In 2000, Kirsty Coventry made her first appearance at the Olympics.

2003: NCAA Championship

In 2003, Kirsty Coventry helped lead the Auburn University Tigers to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships.

2004: Athens Olympics Gold Medal

At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Kirsty Coventry won a gold medal in the 200 meter backstroke.

2004: Another NCAA Championship

In 2004, Kirsty Coventry helped lead the Auburn University Tigers to another National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship.

2005: World Championships Gold Medals

At the 2005 World Championships in Montreal, Kirsty Coventry won gold in both the 100 m and 200 m backstroke and silver in the 200 m and the 400 m IM.

2005: Top Scorer at NCAA Championships

In 2005, Kirsty Coventry was the top individual scorer at the NCAA Championships and captured three individual titles.

2007: World Championships and International Swim Meet

In 2007, at the World Championships in Melbourne, Kirsty Coventry won silver medals in the 200 m backstroke and 200 m IM. She also won four gold medals at the International Swim Meet in Narashino, Japan.

August 2008: Beijing Olympics Medals and World Record

In August 2008, at the Beijing Summer Olympics, Kirsty Coventry won a silver medal in the 400 m individual medley and a gold medal while setting a world record in the 200 m backstroke.

2008: Beijing Olympics Medals

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Kirsty Coventry won four medals: a gold and three silver.

2008: Manchester Short Course World Championships

In 2008 at the Manchester Short Course World Championships, Kirsty Coventry won gold medals and set multiple records, including a world record in the 400 m IM.

2008: World Record in 200m Backstroke

In 2008, Kirsty Coventry broke her first world record in the 200 m backstroke at the Missouri Grand Prix with a time of 2:06:39.

2009: World Championships in Rome

In 2009, at the World Championships in Rome, Kirsty Coventry won a gold in the 200m backstroke with a world record time, and a silver in the 400m individual medley.

2010: Tyrone Seward Becomes Kirsty Coventry's Manager

In 2010, Tyrone Seward became Kirsty Coventry's manager.

2012: London Olympics

At the 2012 Olympics in London, Kirsty Coventry finished 6th in the 200 m individual medley and 6th in the 200 m backstroke.

2012: Elected to IOC Athletes' Commission

In 2012, Kirsty Coventry was elected to the International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission.

August 2013: Marriage to Tyrone Seward

On 10 August 2013, Kirsty Coventry married Tyrone Seward, who had been her manager since 2010.

2016: Rio Olympics and Retirement

At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Kirsty Coventry finished 6th in the 200 meter backstroke and retired after the games.

2016: Fifth Olympic Appearance

In 2016, Kirsty Coventry competed in her fifth and final Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

2016: Retirement from Swimming

In 2016, after her fifth Olympics, Kirsty Coventry retired from swimming, having won the joint-most individual medals in women's swimming in Olympic history.

September 2018: Appointed Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation

In September 2018, Kirsty Coventry became the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in the Cabinet of Zimbabwe.

2018: Chairperson of the IOC Athletes' Commission

In early 2018, Kirsty Coventry was elected the Chairperson of the IOC Athletes' Commission, the body that represents all Olympic athletes worldwide.

May 2019: Birth of First Child

In May 2019, Kirsty Coventry gave birth to her first child.

September 2019: Appointed Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation

On 7 September 2019, Kirsty Coventry was appointed Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in Zimbabwe's Cabinet.

September 2023: Re-appointed as Minister for Sports, Art and Recreation

In September 2023, Kirsty Coventry was re-appointed as Zimbabwe’s Minister for Sports, Art and Recreation by the country’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

2023: Elected to IOC Executive Committee

In 2023, Kirsty Coventry became an elected member of the IOC Executive Committee.

September 2024: Candidate for IOC President

In September 2024, Kirsty Coventry was announced as one of seven candidates in the running to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC president.

March 2025: Announced President of the IOC

On the 20 March 2025, Kirsty Coventry became the first woman and representative from Africa to be announced President of the IOC.

2025: Future IOC President

In 2025, Kirsty Coventry will become the 10th president of the International Olympic Committee, making her the first woman and African to be elected to that position.