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| AFP Yonhap News / Sports Chosun |
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Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe's Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture (42), was elected as the 10th chairman at the 144th IOC General Assembly in Costa Navarino, Greece on the 21st (Korean time).
Coventry's election is also a green light for the relationship between Yoo Seung Min (43), the president of the Korean Sports Council, and international sports diplomacy. Chairman Yoo Seung Min and Coventry have a lot in common. Born in the '80s, a global sports leader in his 40s, an Olympic gold medalist, and a sports hero of the 'Minor continent', he has been active, solidarity, and close relationships within the IOC.
Coventry and Yoo joined the IOC Athletes Commission in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008. Coventry was elected as an athlete committee member at the 2012 London Olympics and Yoo Seung Min was elected four years later at the 2016 Rio Olympics, working together for four years. During this period, Coventry served as chairman of the athletes' committee and frequently communicated and collaborated with Chairman Yoo of 'Global Hard Worker'. They have continued friendship and solidarity by participating side by side as representative speakers in the 「Saudi Athlete Forum」 held in Saudi Arabia in 2020.
Within the conservative European IOC, Olympic gold medalists and young leaders from the 'Minor continent' competed with 'Work hard' and 'Truth'. After completing his term as an athlete after the Paris Olympics in August last year, President Yoo sent a letter of appreciation to his IOC colleagues one by one, and Coventry said, "It was a great pleasure to be with him for eight years. I believe you will continue to contribute to the Olympic Movement we love. Let's keep in touch often." In January 2025, President Yoo became the youngest chairman of the Korean Olympic Committee, and two months later, Zimbabwe Minister Coventry became the first female IOC president in March, writing a new history.
When Yoo Seung Min declared his challenge to become the president of the Korean Sports Council last year, he also cited the performance of the IOC Executive Committee member '1983', who was a year younger than him, against some public opinion dissuading him, saying 'too young'. "Kirsty Coventry, 41, is currently running for president of the IOC. He is a strong candidate for election. Age is not an issue in the international sports world and the international community." "There are many advantages of young leaders such as strong leadership, drive, physical strength, mental strength, and diligence." he stressed.
The remarkable change in IOC leadership shown by the election of Coventry also fits exactly with the personnel management stance after the inauguration of Yoo Seung Min, chairman of the Korean Olympic Committee. In his first personnel appointment, Chairman Yoo surprisingly selected Secretary-General Kim Nam-i as 'Women's Ski Legend' and delivered a clear message of innovation 'Breaking the glass ceiling in the sports world'. The first female secretary-general in the 105-year history of the Korean Sports Council was born. In terms of executive personnel, the proportion of women, including Kim Bo-young, head of the Planning and Coordination Division, was raised to 33.3%'the highest ever', and in the composition of board members, more than 30% of women were targeted. Chairman Yoo said "IOC raised the proportion of female committee members from 23% in 2013 to 43% for the first time in 10 years. Last year, the ratio of male and female athletes at the Paris Olympics was 50-50 as wellHe said "Many people will sympathize with the message he wants to convey through the appointment of Secretary-General Kim Nam-i." "Republic of Korea is a country with tremendous female power in the Olympics, but it is still weak in terms of administration and leadership. Outstanding female talents in the sports world were not treated for one reason or another. I'm going to take care of my weaknesses through actions, not words" expressed his will. It met the global standards that the IOC aims for.
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President Yoo will visit Lausanne, Switzerland on the 8th of next month at the invitation of IOC President Thomas Bach. Officials from North Jeolla Province and the government, who have been confirmed as candidates for the 2036 Summer Olympics, will also accompany them. Regarding the possibility of the 'Jeonbuk Olympics', Chairman Yoo said "As the departure is late, we should move faster. The sports association will also provide generous support through the 2036 Olympic bid support group. Coventry's term is until 2033, and four winter Olympics are scheduled in his term. Next year's Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will be the first Olympics, and the decision to host the 2036 Summer Olympics is also the first issue at hand.
Chairman Yoo, who has already been an active member of the IOC for eight years, is also evaluated as a 'green light'. Like former Chairman Lee Ki-heung, the possibility is open not only to members of the 'NOC Representative' but also to individuals. As Bach's confidence in the former Olympic gold medalist-turned-global hard worker'Yoo Seung Min chairman has been solid, expectations inside and outside are rising for the election of Coventry in his 40s, which has been tacitly supported by Bach. Chairman Yoo's term as an IOC member ended after the Paris Olympics, but unusually, he is active in six divisions, including the LA2028 Coordination Committee and the Education Committee. This shows the IOC's trust in President Yoo.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
