{"id":235506,"date":"2025-03-26T09:48:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T09:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/za\/2025\/03\/26\/proud-moment-for-africa-chinese-ambassador-wu-peng-celebrates-kirsty-coventrys-historic-ioc-election\/"},"modified":"2025-03-26T09:48:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T09:48:00","slug":"proud-moment-for-africa-chinese-ambassador-wu-peng-celebrates-kirsty-coventrys-historic-ioc-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/za\/2025\/03\/26\/proud-moment-for-africa-chinese-ambassador-wu-peng-celebrates-kirsty-coventrys-historic-ioc-election\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Proud moment for Africa\u2019: Chinese ambassador Wu Peng celebrates Kirsty Coventry's historic IOC election"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ambassador of the People\u2019s Republic of China to South Africa, Wu Peng has joined the multiple voices celebrating the election of Zimbabwean swimming sensation, Dr Kirsty Coventry to lead the International Olympic Committee (IOC).<\/span><\/p>\n

Coventry’s tenure at the IOC will begin in June and she will be based at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. She has since resigned from her position as Zimbabwe’s minister of sport, recreation, arts and culture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coventry has become the first woman and African to be elected president of the IOC.  <\/span><\/p>\n

has recently reported that at 41, the two-time Olympic swimming champion is also the youngest ever elected to be the most powerful person in sports governance.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Glad to learn that Kirsty Coventry has been elected the first African and female president of the International Olympic Committee. Congratulations for making history! This is surely a proud moment for Africa and the world of sport. pic.twitter.com\/ZeONQdyV6B<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 \u5434\u9e4f Wu Peng (@AmbWuPeng) March 25, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Commenting on social media platform X, Chinese Ambassador Wu said Coventry’s election was a significant milestone for the continent of Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glad to learn that Kirsty Coventry has been elected the first African and female president of the International Olympic Committee. Congratulations for making history! This is surely a proud moment for Africa and the world of sport,” he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ambassador of China to South Africa, Wu Peng addressing an event in Joburg. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On Monday, reported that South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie has expressed ‘joy and anticipation\u2019 after the then Zimbabwe\u2019s minister of sports, Coventry made history with her election to the <\/span>IOC<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

McKenzie stated that Coventry\u2019s rise to the top job in world sports signals a positive shift in global sports administration dynamics.<\/span><\/p>\n

Get your news on the go, click here to join the News WhatsApp channel. <\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

\u201cWe must pay tribute to the work of the outgoing president of the IOC, Dr Thomas Bach, who received us so warmly and respectfully as a member country at Olympic House, after paying an official visit to South Africa last year,\u201d said McKenzie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo know that the reins are being passed to an individual as accomplished and outspoken as Kirsty Coventry fills us with hope for the future of world sport, and Africa and the Global South\u2019s place in it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

McKenzie also spoke glowingly of Coventry\u2019s achievements.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe was already the most decorated Olympian in African history, with seven medals, including two golds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe has now reached the highest of pinnacles in all of sport,\u201d added Minister McKenzie, paying tribute to the strong support Coventry was given by IOC members, winning the election on the first ballot, with 49 votes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis achievement is a proud moment for all of Africa. I look forward to engaging the president-elect personally in days to come, and to express my support for all the hard work that we know still lies ahead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ambassador of China to South Africa, Wu Peng with Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie at a donation ceremony in Tshwane. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Last year, reported that the Chinese ambassador <\/span>handed over to McKenzie a R2 million consignment of table tennis equipment donated to South Africa from China.<\/p>\n

The mega donation which took place at Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Tshwane, followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding in the field of sport in 2023 between the government of South Africa, and the government of China.<\/p>\n

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za<\/p>\n

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