Kirsty Coventry ’06
On March 20, 2025, Coventry was elected president of the International Olympic Committee, becoming the first woman and first African to get perhaps the biggest job in world sports. She described the role as a “platform to showcase the good of humanity.” Coventry had served as the sports minister of Zimbabwe, a role she was appointed to in September 2018.
Coventry is also vice president of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, vice president of the International Surfing Federation, a member of FINA’s athlete committee and a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency. She also established the Kirsty Coventry Academy and learn-to-swim programs, which focus on youth development and health and education in Zimbabwe.
Coventry was a standout for the Tigers the moment she walked on to Auburn’s campus. Helping the Orange and Blue to its first National Championship in a women’s sport in 2002, the Zimbabwe native also aided the Tigers to two more swimming team titles in 2003 and 2004 and was the top individual point scorer at the 2005 championships. In total, Coventry racked up seven national titles, 25 All-America honors, was named the SEC Swimmer of the Year as well as the conference Female Athlete of the Year in 2004-05, and picked up the Honda Sports Award in 2005, recognizing the most outstanding female swimmer of the year.
After graduation, Coventry was far from finished collecting titles. She would go on to become the most decorated Olympian from the continent of Africa, winning two gold medals, four silvers and one bronze across her illustrious career. Seven of the eight Olympic medals for Zimbabwe belong to Coventry. A five-time world record holder, she also owns eight long-course world championship medals and five from short course.