Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AT just six months of age, Lily Coventry-Sewad may have clocked more air miles than most adults do in a year. Not surprising when your mother is one of the most powerful figures in global sport.
Lily’s story is as extraordinary as her mother’s.
But to truly understand it, there is need to look through the eyes of her trailblazing mum, Kirsty Coventry — an Olympic champion, former Cabinet minister and now the newly elected President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
It is a tale of grit, grace and groundbreaking motherhood.
When Coventry launched her bid for the IOC presidency last year, she was in her final trimester of pregnancy, a phase when many expectant mothers are winding down.
But not her.
Instead, she was boarding planes, making speeches and campaigning across continents while carrying her second child.
By November, she gave birth to Lily, but maternity leave was not an option.
Within weeks, she was back on the road, pushing full steam ahead in her pursuit of Olympic history.
And she made it.
In March this year, at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, the 41-year-old Coventry was elected with a commanding 49 votes, beating her nearest rival, Spain’s Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, who received 28.
With that, she became the first woman and first African to head the IOC in its 131-year history.
But the journey to that landmark moment was anything but smooth.
Coventry vividly recalls being on the move with a newborn, juggling campaign stops and enduring critical stares during meetings.
“It was an emotional rollercoaster, but giving up was never an option,” she said. “I did it not just for my two children, but for every little girl out there, to prove that gender should never stand in the way of ambition.”
Barely four weeks after giving birth, she flew to Switzerland for her first Executive Board meeting. There, she found herself slipping in and out of the conference room, not to take breaks, but to breastfeed Lily.
“Some people in the room began to get visibly irritated by my movements,” Coventry recalled. “I had to explain: ‘I’m a breastfeeding mother.’ It was uncomfortable for them, but that’s the reality of motherhood. And I wasn’t about to apologise for it.”
Coventry’s ability to lead while nursing a baby has earned her admiration, including from fellow Government officials like Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Monica Mutsvangwa.
Mutsvangwa recalls seeing Coventry, visibly pregnant, confidently lobbying at the United Nations General Assembly just months before the birth.
“She was glowing and energetic,” Mutsvangwa said. “I asked if she was really going to go through with the presidency bid, and she simply said, ‘This is one of my biggest goals.’ And I could see her working the diplomatic corridors, knocking on doors, lobbying, persuading.”
A few months later, in Dubai, Mutsvangwa bumped into Coventry and her family, including baby Lily.
“At that point, she should have been home recovering,” the minister recalled. “Instead, she was already travelling across continents with a newborn.”
When asked how she managed, Coventry simply chuckled: “Don’t worry; we’ve already crisscrossed four continents with her.”
Mutsvangwa was in awe.
“Her story is powerful, it’s not just about policymaking or leadership. It’s about redefining what women can do, and shattering outdated expectations of motherhood and leadership.”
Coventry’s fearless spirit is not new. It was forged in her childhood, in early morning swims, sacrifice and unshakable discipline.
Her swimming journey began at just eight years of age when her parents noticed her potential. From then on, she had to train daily, waking up at 4am, swimming before school, then doing it all again after class, all the while keeping up with her homework.
Her mother, Lyn Coventry, recalls how tough some mornings were, especially during winter.
“She would cry, saying she was tired, but we had to be firm. We took turns supervising her training. Some days it was her dad; others it was me,” she said.
The family had to get creative to support her international competitions financially.
“Swimming was expensive,” Lyn said. “So, we baked and sold cakes. The community helped too; we would pool resources to fundraise for the swimmers.”
She still has fond memories of the first gold medal her daughter won at the Olympics. Due to financial constraints, she could not travel for the global contest.
“We gathered as a family and friends, our eyes glued to the small screen. The moment she collected the medal, I felt I had made an achievement; that marked my highlight of her career.”
These humble beginnings contrast sharply with the global stature Coventry now commands, and yet those values have stayed with her.
Despite her achievements, multiple Olympic medals, international honours and ministerial roles, Coventry has remained grounded.
Lyn was at one point diagnosed with breast cancer and Coventry came to her rescue by providing financial assistance to meet her medical bills. The medallist used part of the proceeds from her swimming efforts for this purpose.
Her long-time friend, Justine Middlemost, whom she met at Highlands Swimming Club 36 years ago, says Coventry never let fame change her.
“She never bragged,” said Middlemost. “Our conversations stayed the same; she never made me feel less. She’s still the same friend I’ve known since we were kids.”
While Middlemost eventually left competitive swimming and explored more carefree pursuits, including a fondness for clubbing, Coventry stayed the course.
“She’s always been focused, very black and white. She does what’s right, even when it’s hard,” Middlemost said. “She’s been my voice of reason through everything.”
Today, Coventry is not just a sporting icon or global leader; she is also a hands-on mum.
With her husband, she makes a point of blending fun with values.
One of their family routines is listening to Snoop Dogg’s kids’ album during school runs or long drives.
Their favourite track? “Everybody is Different.”
Its message of inclusivity and self-belief is one they hope will shape their daughter’s worldview.
“It’s not just a catchy tune,” Coventry said. “It’s a lesson in courage, diversity and embracing who you are.”
Coventry’s election to the helm of the IOC is historic, but she is not doing it for accolades. Her vision is larger, one rooted in inclusivity, resilience and empowerment.
She wants to be the kind of leader who inspires mothers, young athletes and women in boardrooms.
“I’m not here because it was easy,” she says. “I’m here because I believed in the mission and I had the courage to pursue it, even when it meant breastfeeding in boardrooms or campaigning while pregnant.”
Her story is not just about breaking barriers; it is about what happens after they have been broken.
It is about flying while holding a baby. It is about baking cakes to reach world stages. It is about staying true to who you are, even at the top.
And it is about Lily, the baby cradled in her mother’s arms, travelling the world, already witnessing what fearless womanhood looks like.
Online Reporter