HARBIN, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Kirsty Coventry, a seven-time Olympic medalist and experienced sports administrator, has positioned herself as a transformative leader for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with her manifesto, "Unleashing the Transformative Power of Sport."

Coventry has placed athletes at the center of her agenda, emphasizing mental health, physical recovery, and equitable opportunities, particularly for women. She has proposed expanding the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship program and enhancing athlete career initiatives to support their development both during and after their competitive years.

Beyond athlete welfare, Coventry is advocating for a more inclusive governance structure within the IOC, aiming to foster open dialogue and empower IOC members, International Federations (IFs), and National Olympic Committees (NOCs).

As the Olympic Movement navigates an evolving media and sponsorship landscape, Coventry is calling for deeper engagement with existing partners while exploring new sponsorship models. She has emphasized leveraging digital platforms and AI-powered tools to connect with younger, tech-savvy audiences and expand the Olympic brand's global reach.

As a swimmer, Coventry represented Zimbabwe at five Olympic Games, winning two gold, four silver and one bronze medals. She was elected to the IOC's Athletics Commission in 2012, and has served as Zimbabwe's sports minister since 2018.

IOC members will elect a successor to incumbent president Thomas Bach at the IOC Session in Greece on March 18-21.

If elected, Coventry would become the first woman and first African to lead the IOC, marking a historic shift for the organization. However, she has expressed her desire to prove herself as the best candidate.

"First and foremost, I want to be the best candidate to win, not just because of my gender or from where I come from," she said. Enditem

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