World Aquatics also wishes to commend all the outstanding candidates, which also included —Lord Sebastian Coe, Mr Johan Eliasch, HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Mr David Lappartient, Mr Juan Antonio Samaranch, and Mr Morinari Watanabe—who put forward their vision for the future of the IOC and global sport. Their dedication to the Olympic ideals and their commitment to the ongoing evolution of the Olympic Movement in service of athletes, stakeholders, and fans is commendable.

Image Source: Kirsty Coventry competes for Zimbabwe in the Women's 200m Backstroke Final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

An Olympic swimming champion, Kirsty Coventry will bring a unique perspective to the IOC Presidency. Her clear support for gender equality, both in competition and in the governing bodies of sport, is strongly echoed by that of World Aquatics. The work President-elect Coventry has carried out following her competitive career – including through her academy teaching children to swim – is an example to all in aquatics sports

As a leading International Federation within the Olympic Movement, World Aquatics celebrates the principles of democracy, fairness, and transparency exemplified in the IOC Presidential election process. This milestone follows the 12-year tenure of outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach, an Olympic gold medallist fencer and German lawyer, who led the Olympic Movement through a transformative era for global sport.

With Coventry assuming leadership of the IOC this June, World Aquatics is eager to continue our collaboration, ensuring that aquatics athletes in swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, open water swimming, and high diving thrive on the world’s biggest stages. The future of aquatics and the Olympic Games is bright, and we are confident that under Kirsty's guidance, the Olympic Movement will continue to innovate and inspire athletes and fans worldwide.

World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam expressed his enthusiasm for this new leadership, stating:

“On behalf of World Aquatics, I sincerely congratulate Kirsty Coventry on this well-earned election as IOC President. This is a welcomed result for all aquatic sports, athletes, and stakeholders within the Olympic Movement. I look forward to working closely with Mrs Coventry to further strengthen aquatics sports and ensure that the Olympic Games remain an unparalleled platform for excellence, fairness, and global unity.”

Image Source: Kirsty Coventry carries the flag of Zimbabwe into the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

World Aquatics remains steadfast in its mission of supporting aquatic sports and athletes at all levels. We look forward to working with Kirsty Coventry and the IOC to build upon the Olympic legacy, to continue evolving the Games for future generations, and to champion the World Aquatics Mission of fostering a world united by water for health, life, and sport.