Kirsty Coventry hopes to “challenge the status quo” on the World Olympic Committee (IOC) must she be elected as its first feminine president.

The 41-year-old former swimmer would additionally transform the youngest individual and the primary from outdoor Europe or North The us to go the organisation in its 130-year historical past must she see off six alternative applicants and be successful Thomas Bach in March’s vote.

The Zimbabwean, who’s Africa’s most-decorated Olympian, needs to journey additional in empowering feminine athletes via putting in place playground more potent safeguarding procedures and offering extra aid for moms.

“I want to show people and women across Africa and the world: ‘Don’t be afraid of anything’,” Coventry instructed BBC Game Africa.

“If you believe in something and know you can lead an organisation, don’t be too scared to put your hand up and do it.

“It’s week for ladies in Africa to get up up and manage, not to be petrified of , and not to be petrified of differently.”

Coventry won seven medals, including two golds, across the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Games, and has served as her country’s minister of sport, arts and recreation since September 2018.

She could also be these days IOC commissions overseeing journey at the Dakar 2026 Adolescence Olympics and 2032 Brisbane Olympics.