Kirsty Coventry broke several barriers when she became the president of the International Olympic Committee on Monday, as she is both the first woman and first African person to hold the position. Coventry's election to run the IOC shouldn't come as much of a surprise given her long history in Olympic athletics as a former competitive swimmer.

New IOC President Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe took office Monday in a ceremony attended by Utah Olympic leader Fraser Bullock.

Kirsty Coventry officially became the president of the International Olympic Committee following a formal handover on Monday morning.