Italy welcomes Coventry's election as IOC president

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 20 - Italian ministers and sports officials expressed satisfaction on Thursday after Kirsty Coventry was elected the first woman president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
    The 41-year-old twice Olympic swimming champion and Zimbabwean minister for sport replaces Thomas Bach at the head of international sport.
    "The election of Kirsty Coventry as IOC President is a step of great value and importance for the future of sport and its positive influence on society, confirming the evolution of the Olympic movement to make its universality, its social and educational role and sports diplomacy increasingly more effective," said Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi.
    "I am certain that her great, qualified experience as an athlete and manager will allow us to give a new face to the IOC and its strategies, considering the many challenges of this complex time, making the most of what was achieved by her predecessor, Thomas Bach, to whom we extend sincere and heartfelt thanks for what he has done for the benefit of the international sports community and for the support given during the years of the government headed by Giorgia Meloni, including in the organization of Milano-Cortina 2026 and in the assignment of the 2028 Winter Youth Olympics to Italy".
    Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) President congratulated Coventry too.
    "The IOC members have elected Kirsty Coventry: she is the new president of the International Olympic Committee," Malagò said via X.
    "Woman, African, Olympian. Proud of this historic decision".
    (ANSA).