On International Women’s Day 2024, five-time Olympian and IOC Member Kirsty Coventry reflects on the progress made towards gender equality and reveals her advice for female athletes entering leadership roles.
Kirsty Coventry is Africa’s most-decorated Olympian, winning seven individual medals in swimming across Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, including two golds.
Now the Minister of Sport in her native Zimbabwe, Kirsty is also Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Dakar 2026 and Brisbane 2032.
On International Women’s Day 2024, Kirsty discusses her experience in leadership roles and her advice for female athletes looking to follow the same path.
WOMEN HAVE AN ACE IN OUR POCKETS. WE HAVE A TOTALLY DIFFERENT WAY OF LOOKING AT THINGS AND SOLVING PROBLEMS, WHICH CAN BRING FRESH THINKING TO MALE-DOMINATED SPACES.
Kirsty Coventry
International Women’s Day has provided a wonderful platform for the conversation around gender inequality. It brings people together to share our experiences, and has opened up new ways for us to give appreciation to the women who came before us and fought so hard for a seat at the table.
It also has the power to inspire young women to become leaders across all sectors. It shows that there’s nothing to be scared about, and you must take the opportunities that come to you. You have a huge community of people supporting you – both women and men.
It’s so important for everyone to get involved – women and men of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. This is a global issue. The more holistic we can be in our approach, with everyone coming around the table to share their voice, is the only way I see things being pushed forward for a more equitable and level playing field.
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES IN LEADERSHIP
Having taken up several leadership roles after my swimming career, I’ve had to learn to navigate within male-dominated spaces. In my current role as Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, I’m one of seven women in cabinet – which is progressive for Zimbabwe – and I’m grateful to my Head of State for the opportunity to make a difference.
It has come with its challenges, though. When I first became Minister, I was newly pregnant. There was definitely some stereotypical judgement about being a woman with a young family, people thinking I couldn’t do anything other than be a mother. That still pops up even today, which I find surprising. As an athlete, I had to put family on hold for so long. You think when you retire, you’ll be given the same opportunities to start a family and work, but it’s still held over your head as a negative.
Women who choose to have a family and work bring a lot of added value to organisations. It’s especially true in the Olympic Movement because our main target is young people. They are the main group we want to inspire, and if you have young children, that brings you closer to the Movement, not further away.
WE NEED TO SEE MORE EQUALITY IN OUR COACHES, OUR DOCTORS, OUR PHYSIOS, AND EVERY OTHER SUPPORT ROLE. THIS ISN’T JUST ABOUT ATHLETES. I THINK PARIS 2024 CAN INSPIRE THE WIDER OLYMPIC MOVEMENT TO DO THAT.
Kirsty Coventry
MY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING FEMALE LEADERS
You have to give everyone time. I’ve tried a few different techniques, and trying to be as dominant and tough as my male counterparts did not work. Instead, I try to encourage teamwork. My colleagues have a lot of knowledge I can benefit from, and vice versa, so working out ways to come together is crucial.
Women have an ace in our pockets. We have a totally different way of looking at things and solving problems, which can bring fresh thinking to male-dominated spaces. There is so much value in having people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, whether that’s a business, government or a sports organisation. Diversity makes any team better.
Most importantly, never let anyone make you feel like less of a person because of your gender. As women, we’re often told that we’re too emotional. Don’t be afraid to show those emotions and have that empathy, because it allows you to look at things in a completely different way. Find a way to get your point across with those emotions. Don’t shy away from what makes you a strong woman.
PARIS 2024 IS A BIG STEP – BUT THERE’S MORE TO DO
Having gender parity at Paris 2024 is huge. It’s something that the IOC has been pushing to achieve, especially over the last 10 or 15 years, when we’ve seen some big jumps in female participation.
We’re very proud of the progress we’ve made, but there’s more – so much more – work to be done. We need to see more equality in our coaches, our doctors, our physios, and every other support role. This isn’t just about athletes. I think Paris 2024 can inspire the wider Olympic Movement to do that.
Discover more about Paris 2024 and the first ever gender-equal Olympic Games.
Read more on: https://olympics.com/athlete365/voice/kirsty-coventry-my-advice-for-women-in-leadership/