Kirsty Coventry
Kirsty Coventry is a retired Zimbabwean Swimmer, Olympic Gold Medalist and Philanthropist. Born 1983, the Harare born athlete broke records by winning more medals than any female in history.
When Kirsty was 9-years old she told her parents she would go to the Olympic Games and win Gold. The little girl grew up and did just that.
Her first Olympic Games were in Sydney, in 2000. In 2004, Kirsty won her first Olympic gold medal in Athens as well as a silver and bronze medal. The moment marked the beginning of a record-breaking athletic career with Kirsty ultimately becoming one of the world’s highest achieving female swimmers. She went on to win another gold and three silver medals at the Beijing Olympic Games – shining a light for her fellow African athletes across all sporting disciplines. Twice crowned Olympic champion, and with seven Olympic medals, Kirsty has won more individual Olympic medals than any female swimmer in history. She is also, without a doubt, Africa’s most successful Olympic athlete in Africa. In August 2016 she represented Zimbabwe in her 5th Olympic Games at the Rio de Janeiro Games.
Education:
- Dominican Convent Primary School, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Dominican Convent Secondary School, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Auburn University, Alabama, United States
Academic Achievements:
- Bachelor of Human Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management with a minor in Business from Auburn University
Career:
Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer
Awarded US$100,000 and a diplomatic passport by President Mugabe for her success at the Olympics. Coventry gave a portion of that money to charity.
Consultant for the Zimbabwe National Olympic Committee
Provides motivational talks and clinics for schools and developing athletes around the world; advisor to groups, businesses, foundations and individuals interested in developing athletes’ skills and careers.
Founder Kirsty Coventry Academy
(www.kirstycoventry.com)
Inductee of the Auburn University Swimming & Diving Hall of Fame (2015)
IOC Member (2013) and a member of the following Commissions:
Athletes (2014-), Coordination for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in 2020 in Tokyo 2014-), Olympic Solidarity (2014-)
List of Medals:
2002 Commonwealth Games medals
- Gold in the 200 m IM (2:14.53)
2004 Olympic medals
- Bronze in the 200 m IM (2:12.72) – Zimbabwe’s second Olympic medal
- Gold in the 200 m backstroke (2:09.19)
- Silver in the 100 m backstroke (1:00.50)
2005 World Championship medals
- Gold in the 100 m backstroke (1:00.24)
- Gold in the 200 m backstroke (2:08.52)
- Silver in the 200 m IM (2:11.13)
- Silver in the 400 m IM (4:39.72)
2007 All-Africa Games
- Gold in the 200 m IM (2:13.02 CR)
- Gold in the 400 m IM (4:39.91 CR)
- Gold in the 50 m freestyle (26.19)
- Gold in the 800 m freestyle (8:43.89 CR)
- Gold in the 50 m backstroke (28.89 AR)
- Gold in the 100 m backstroke (1:01.28 CR)
- Gold in the 200 m backstroke (2:10.66 CR)
- Silver in the 100 m breaststroke (1:11.86)
- Silver in the 4×100 m medley (4:21.60 NR)
- Silver in the 4×200 m freestyle (8:38.20 NR)
2007 World Championship medals
- Silver in the 200 m backstroke (2:07.54)
- Silver in the 200 m IM (2:10.74)
2008 Olympic Medals
- Silver in the 400 m IM (4:29.89 AR)
- Silver in the 100 m Backstroke (59.19)(58.77 WR semis)
- Silver in the 200 m IM (2:08.59 AR)
- Gold in the 200 m Backstroke (2:05.24) WR
2009 World Championship Medals
- Gold in the 200 m backstroke (2:04.81) WR
- Silver in the 400 m IM (4:32.12)
2011 All-Africa Games
- Gold in the 200 m IM (2:13.70)
- Gold in the 400 m IM (4:44.34)
- Gold in the 100 m backstroke (1:00.86 CR)
- Gold in the 200 m backstroke (2:12.40)
- Silver in the 100 m butterfly (1:02.20)
- Silver in the 4×100 m medley (4:24.01)
- Silver in the 4×100 m freestyle (3:57.81)
- Silver in the 4×200 m freestyle
