Coventry’s IOC Presidential Victory: Was it Really a Landslide?
Kirsty Coventry’s resounding triumph in the International Olympic Committee presidential election might appear unequivocally dominant. However, as dignitaries from royalty, sports, politics, and the business world departed the Costa Navarino resort, whispers persisted that the outcome could have been far less certain.
First-Round Win and Underlying Doubts
The Zimbabwean former swimmer, age 41, secured a first-round victory with 49 votes, making history as the first woman to lead the IOC. Her rivals, Juan Antonio Samaranch and Sebastian Coe, both members of the “Big Three,” garnered significantly fewer votes, with 28 and eight respectively. Yet, in the aftermath, narratives emerged suggesting the IOC establishment had propelled Thomas Bach’s favored successor to victory.
Allegations of Behind-the-Scenes Maneuvering
“We heard accounts of phone calls instructing members: ‘Don’t waste your vote, do the right thing,’” disclosed a well-informed source. Another insider conceded, “The lobbying and pressure tactics were intense.” Reports even surfaced of an IOC member directly expressing their discontent to Bach.
Some observers believe these interventions reshaped the entire election. For months, each candidate’s team had utilized internal tracking to anticipate voting patterns, round by round, as candidates with the fewest votes were eliminated. At the beginning of the week, multiple camps had similar projections for the critical first round.
Pre-Election Predictions and Shifting Momentum
Estimates for Samaranch’s initial support ranged from 24 to 30 votes, depending on the source. Coe’s anticipated votes varied even more widely, between 20 and 26. While Coventry was projected in the low to mid-20s by some, and higher by others, the general consensus was that the election remained highly competitive.
Coe, at this juncture, maintained optimism that his campaign for change was resonating. He envisioned a path to victory in subsequent rounds, anticipating vote transfers from Coventry supporters after the initial ballot.
Samaranch, for his part, banked on his personal appeal, his moderate reform platform, and his 24 years of IOC experience to sway voters later in the process. Up until the final 48 hours, he was widely considered the slight frontrunner.
However, the first round was always perceived as the critical juncture for both men. Coventry needed to eliminate them early, as further vote gains in subsequent rounds were deemed unlikely. Their miscalculation lay in underestimating her ability to achieve this.
Signs of Shifting Tides
In the 24 hours preceding the election, mounting indications suggested Coventry was gaining significant traction. The first signal emerged with Bach’s appointment as honorary IOC president. Despite likely knowing of the honor, the 71-year-old appeared to feign surprise. This was followed by an hour-long series of tributes from IOC members, some expressing emotional sentiments and drawing comparisons to Nelson Mandela.
“May the Olympic gods continue to guide you, dear president,” declared Nicole Hoevertsz, Bach’s deputy. One critic wryly described the display as “a level of insincerity that would have been at home in the Pyongyang politburo.”
Interpretations of this orchestrated event varied. Was it the IOC membership bidding farewell to Bach to soften the blow of a Coventry defeat? Or was the outgoing German leader subtly reminding members of his influence and preferred voting outcome?
One campaign team acknowledged misinterpreting the situation. “It was a classic case of overlooking the obvious signs and rationalizing them away,” they admitted.
Coventry’s Ascendancy and Last-Minute Delays
By Thursday morning, Coventry’s growing momentum became undeniable. Observers estimated her support had climbed into the 40s. Concurrently, Bach’s demeanor shifted to noticeably more jovial, making lighthearted remarks about his impending departure.
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In the afternoon, a scheduled 10-minute coffee break before the 4 pm election stretched to 45 minutes. Some attendees speculated whether Coventry’s supporters were making a final push for votes.
Regardless of the reason, the delay proved effective. Following a minor technical issue with IOC member Samira Asghari’s vote, which prompted IOC director general Christophe De Kepper to remark, “You are testing my nerves and those of the candidates,” the election concluded swiftly within two minutes.
Post-Election Reflections and Rules Questioned
While Coventry celebrated, others engaged in post-election analysis. A prevailing view was that Coe incurred the most significant vote reduction in the final phase. Questions arose about the IOC election rulebook’s tenet of “strict neutrality at all times” for the IOC administration, and its practical application.
However, Coe adopted a composed stance when asked if the contest was fair. “Oh, it’s an election.” Another influential figure echoed the sentiment: “Elections – what else is new?”
Strict Rules and Lingering Disquiet
The election’s stringent rules were previously highlighted when all IOC members dined together in Lausanne in January. To prevent candidate lobbying, the seven contenders were seated with Bach at a designated table, sharing a pre-selected menu.
Despite lingering unease in some quarters, the prevailing sentiment suggests the membership will coalesce and unite behind Coventry, a typical IOC pattern. IOC honorary member Dick Pound’s observation that the voting process “makes the Vatican conclave look like it’s open house” underscores the perceived secrecy and control.
Coe’s Lost Dream and Potential Silver Linings
For Coe, contemplating his unrealized ambition might lead him to consider whether he miscalculated the IOC members’ appetite for change and underestimated Bach’s influence. The pivotal moment may have been in 2016 when Coe and World Athletics banned Russian track and field athletes from the Rio Olympics for state-sponsored doping.
Yet, Coe can find some solace. His candidacy spurred Coventry to address crucial issues such as enhanced athlete support, IOC cost reduction, and the protection of women’s sports – topics absent from her initial platform. Perhaps, in time, he will perceive this as a positive outcome, even as the immediate defeat stings.