WOMEN POWER: Kirsty Coventry as IOC President can be good news for India vis a vis 2036 Olympics bid

Don’t call Africa a dark continent any longer, even by mistake. On Thursday evening, 41-year-old Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry stormed a male bastion to crown herself and women power in sports in glory as she was elected President of the International Olympic Committee. The IOC elections are high profile, with intense lobbying. Yet, for Coventry, herself a two-time Olympic swimming champion, to blast the field which included Lord Seb Coe and Juan Antonoio Samaranch Junior was defining. She won 49 out of the 97 votes, leaving others in fray numb.

There are many significances and ramifications from this one win by a woman, that, too, from Africa. The IOC has been seen as a rich boys’ club for long. To break the stereotype and emerge as a winner by a mile, Kirsty Coventry has shown that women cannot be underestimated in any field. As it were, with Sunita Williams returning from a Space mission safely, thanks to the magical efforts put in by Elon Musk, the world is celebrating women. Coventry spoke with calm and reached out to the global sporting fraternity from Costa Navarino in Greece on Thursday.

“I will lead the organisation (IOC) with pride and with values at the core. I will make all of you very, very proud,” said Kirsty Coventry after she was invited to speak by none other than outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach. Bach’s term will end in June 2025. Coventry has many challenges ahead of her, but given her pedigree and being an IOC member from 2013, she will know what best to do, given her experience. To be sure, the Olympic Movement is at the crossroads. She has promised to work in tandem with those she beat in the election fray. That’s a good, positive step for sure. To be taking people along with her, Seb Coe included, is important.

For those who follow the nuances of sports politics and how the IOC functions, solid ground work had been done by Thomas Bach in building Coventry’s candidature as a potential IOC President. She will be a path-breaker. A woman from Africa is a big deal. In 2026, the Winter Olympics will be held in Italy and in 2028 Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympics. There is apprehension in many quarters over the LA Olympics since the time Donald Trump returned to power as President of the United States of America. Trump’s recent decisions and travel bans have shocked many. Yet, the IOC has been in touch with the USA from the time Joe Biden was President. For sure, Trump and his Government will be tough, so Kirstey has to navigate with care.

As hosts of the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, where the Summer Games returns after the 1984 Olympics, there is history to be made. At the same time, if there is a worry about how the 2028 LA organisers will deal with the Trump administration, there is time for the IOC. The IOC faced a lot of flak and pressing questions after the Paris 2024 Olympics. In many ways, Paris was a disaster of sorts. What was promised was not delivered. There was no soul in the Game and even Parisians fled their own city fearing the chaos. From a poor Games Village to dealing miserably with the heat and a lack of involvement from volunteers, Paris and Chateauroux was a mistake. Surely, the new IOC will now want egg on face, since the Olympics is their own property.

From an Indian perspective, Kirsty Coventry ascending the IOC throne is good news. On Thursday, PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association and the Commonwealth Games Association (India) got a letter from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). It acknowledges India’s serious intent to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Gujarat. From a Coldplay concert at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad recently to hosting a CWG, Gujarat will be a good host. One should not always think hosting the 2010 CWG in New Delhi was a mistake.

There is a larger picture also on view, since India is very serious about hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics. For those who are sceptical about India’s ability to host the Summer Games in 2036, they need to know it is a national dream., None other than tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi had recently spoken India must bid and host the Summer Olympics, be it in 2036 or later. Such a statement from Bhupathi, who has been part of five Olympics campaigns carries weight. Endorsing Mahesh Bhupathi’s words, pistol coach and Dronacharya Jaspal Rana said: “India will go flat out to host the 2036 Olympics and do a great job, our IOA President PT Usha Madam is working hard.”

Usha has been dealing with a lot of negativity within the IOA with her own EC members. What stands out is, despite the EC members wanting to drag her down, she crosses the hurdles like an ace sprinter and hurdler from the past. For someone who has won over 100 international medals in the international arena, dealing with human obstacles is no big deal. She has the blessings and support of many athletes, and most importantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Usha will also be proactive in dealing with the new dispensation at the IOC. Imagine, the IOC led by a lady and the IOA headed, also by a lady, the 2036 Olympics dream of India as hosts gains momentum. Forget what the cynics say.