Coventry compared winning the IOC election to winning her first Olympic medal.

Kirsty Coventry, who became the first female president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), compared winning the election to receiving her first medal in 2004. She made the corresponding statement during a press conference on the occasion of her election.

"It can be compared to when I won my first medal at the Olympic Games in 2004. It's a little surreal. <...> A young girl who started swimming for the first time in Zimbabwe many years ago, and could not even dream of such a moment," the IOC quoted her as saying after her election.

Coventry also expressed gratitude to the members of the organization for their trust and stated that they could be "absolutely sure" of the correctness of the decision.

In the Olympic movement: how Kirsty Coventry became the new president of the IOC

The sports organization will be headed by a two-time champion of the Games in swimming from Zimbabwe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Coventry on his election. He pointed to Coventry's unique experience and her interest in promoting the noble Olympic ideals. This will contribute to the successful work in the new post, he noted. Putin wished the IOC President-elect well-being and strong, "truly athletic" health. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko also sent his wishes to the athlete.