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Coventry Becomes First Woman and First African to Lead IOC

Zimbabwean candidate for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Kirsty Coventry reacts after being elected during the 144th IOC Session on the day of the election of the next President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in Costa Navarino, Greece on March 20, 2025. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
Zimbabwean candidate for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Kirsty Coventry reacts after being elected during the 144th IOC Session on the day of the election of the next President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in Costa Navarino, Greece on March 20, 2025. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
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Coventry Becomes First Woman and First African to Lead IOC

Zimbabwean candidate for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Kirsty Coventry reacts after being elected during the 144th IOC Session on the day of the election of the next President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in Costa Navarino, Greece on March 20, 2025. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
Zimbabwean candidate for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Kirsty Coventry reacts after being elected during the 144th IOC Session on the day of the election of the next President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in Costa Navarino, Greece on March 20, 2025. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

Kirsty Coventry smashed through the International Olympic Committee’s glass ceiling on Thursday to become the organization’s first female and first African president in its 130-year history.
The Zimbabwean swimming great, already a towering figure in Olympic circles, emerged victorious to replace Thomas Bach, securing the top job in world sport and ushering in a new era for the Games.
Coventry needed only one round of voting to clinch the race to succeed Bach, winning an immediate overall majority in the secret ballot with 49 of the available 97 votes, Reuters reported.
She beat Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. into second place, the Spaniard winning 28 votes. Britain’s Sebastian Coe, considered one of the front runners in the days leading up to the vote, came third with eight votes.
The remaining votes went to Frenchman David Lappartient, Jordan’s Prince Feisal, Swedish-born Johan Eliasch, and Japan’s Morinari Watanabe.
"This is not just a huge honor but it is a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you that I will lead this organization with so much pride," a beaming Coventry told her fellow IOC members at the luxury seaside resort in Greece’s southwestern Peloponnese which hosted the IOC Session.
"I will make all of you very, very proud, and hopefully extremely confident with the choice you've taken today, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
"Now we've got some work together and I'd like to thank the candidates -- this race was an incredible race and it made us better, it made us a stronger movement.
"I know from the conversations I've had with every single one of you how much stronger our movement is going to be."
The seven-times Olympic medalist joined the IOC's Athletes’ Commission in 2012, and her election to the top job signals a new era for the IOC, with expectations that she will bring a fresh perspective to pressing issues such as athlete rights, the gender debate, and the sustainability of the Games.
A champion of sport development in Africa, Coventry has pledged to expand Olympic participation and ensure the Games remain relevant to younger generations.
She also inherits the complex task of navigating relations with global sports federations and sponsors while maintaining the IOC’s financial stability, which has relied heavily on its multibillion-dollar broadcasting and sponsorship deals.
As she takes the helm, the global sporting community will be watching closely to see how she shapes the future of the world’s biggest multi-sport organization.

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Mahrez Leads Algeria to AFCON Cruise Against Sudan

Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)
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Mahrez Leads Algeria to AFCON Cruise Against Sudan

Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)

Captain Riyad Mahrez scored in each half as 2019 champions Algeria eased to a 3-0 win over 10-man Sudan in their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.

Mahrez got the opener after just 82 seconds to the delight of the Algerian fans who made up the vast majority of the 16,115 crowd at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

The former Manchester City winger, now with Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia, got his and his team's second goal just after the hour mark and Ibrahim Maza wrapped up the win late on as Algeria started in the best possible fashion in Group E.

Among the spectators in the Moroccan capital was France legend Zinedine Zidane, whose parents came from Algeria and whose son Luca was starting in goal for the Desert Foxes.

His appearance on big screens in the ground drew huge cheers from Algerian supporters who will have been delighted to see their team produce a convincing performance.

Algeria were eliminated in the first round without a win at each of the last two AFCON tournaments but wasted no time in breaking the deadlock against the group outsiders.

The match was little over a minute old when Mohamed Amoura's ball across the penalty box was met by a back-heel from Hicham Boudaoui to tee up Mahrez. He took a touch before firing in.

Zidane then did well to save at the feet of Sudan's Yaser Awad Boshara but Algeria were by far the better side.

Sudan's chances of getting back into the game were then severely dented when Salaheldin Adil was sent off six minutes before the interval for a second booking for chopping down Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Ramy Bensebaini had a goal disallowed for offside moments later but Mahrez made it 2-0 on 61 minutes as he connected with a lovely outside-of-the-boot assist from Amoura.

Mahrez, appearing at his sixth AFCON, now has eight goals at the tournament. He came off to an ovation from the Algerian fans late on.

Substitute Maza, of Bayer Leverkusen, finished from Baghdad Bounedjah's knockdown with five minutes left to score Algeria's 100th AFCON goal and make it 3-0.

Sudan have now won just once in 17 Cup of Nations matches since lifting the trophy in 1970.

Earlier in the same group, Burkina Faso came from behind to beat 10-man Equatorial Guinea 2-1 thanks to two goals deep in injury time in Casablanca.

Basilio Ndong was sent off just after half-time for Equatorial Guinea but they looked set to win the game when substitute Marvin Anieboh headed in on 85 minutes.

However, Georgi Minoungou equalized in the fifth added minute before Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba grabbed a dramatic 98th-minute winner.

Sports

Boulevard City Hosts Open Training Sessions for 'Ring V: Night of the Samurai' Stars

The open training sessions are part of the Fight Week program - SPA
The open training sessions are part of the Fight Week program - SPA
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Boulevard City Hosts Open Training Sessions for 'Ring V: Night of the Samurai' Stars

The open training sessions are part of the Fight Week program - SPA
The open training sessions are part of the Fight Week program - SPA

The Global Theater at Boulevard City hosted on Wednesday the open training sessions for the stars of “Ring V: Night of the Samurai,” as part of the second day of Fight Week during Riyadh Season 2025.

The event drew strong public and media attendance, giving boxing fans a close look at the fighters’ preparations ahead of the much-anticipated fight night.

The world’s top boxing talents, led by Japanese world champion Naoya Inoue, alongside Alan Picasso, Junto Nakatani, Kenshiro Teraji, Taiga Imanaga, Rito Tsutsumi, and other fighters, featured on the Night of the Samurai fight card. The interactive atmosphere reflected the global interest surrounding the upcoming event, according to SPA.

The sessions showcased the fighters’ skills, physical strength, and sharp focus, as the stars delivered technical highlights for fans and media alike, marking the final stages of preparation ahead of the official bouts to be hosted in Riyadh as part of one of the biggest boxing nights of Riyadh Season.

The open training sessions are part of the Fight Week program, designed to enhance fan engagement with the participating fighters and offer a closer look at the competitive build-up, reflecting Riyadh Season’s commitment to delivering exceptional sports and entertainment experiences.

The press conference will be held on December 25, 2025, with all fighters in attendance, as final preparations are discussed and statements exchanged ahead of the main fight night.

Sports

Frank Warns Squad to Be ‘Grown-Up’ as Spurs Players Get Christmas Day Off

Tottenham Hotspur's manager Thomas Frank gestures during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
Tottenham Hotspur's manager Thomas Frank gestures during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
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Frank Warns Squad to Be ‘Grown-Up’ as Spurs Players Get Christmas Day Off

Tottenham Hotspur's manager Thomas Frank gestures during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
Tottenham Hotspur's manager Thomas Frank gestures during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 20 December 2025. (EPA)

Thomas Frank will give his Tottenham squad Christmas Day off but only because it fits in with their schedule ahead of Sunday's match away to London rivals Crystal Palace.

Spurs have struggled since Frank replaced the sacked Ange Postecoglou and are 14th in the Premier League table following a run of five defeats in eight matches in all competitions.

The club's form has led to a rising tide of anger among Tottenham fans, many of whom are already losing faith in Frank and the 52-year-old's decision to give his side Christmas Day off may not go down well with supporters.

But Frank, explaining the reason behind his decision, said: "This week we actually handle in the same way I would have done with any other week. If it was not Christmas, it was still done the same.

"So, we have two days leading to the game, day off, two days. So Tuesday and Wednesday, then off on 25th and then two days. Then it's perfectly fit the Christmas family schedule, which is very good.

"I'm a big believer of being a top professional and that's something I believe the players are and should be. Some need to be guided more than others, but also they are grown-up individuals.

"If I need to hold their hand the whole time, we have a bigger problem in my opinion."
Frank will be without captain Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons at Selhurst Park due to suspension in a fresh setback for the Danish coach.

But the former Brentford boss pointed to his spell at Brondby in 2013, where he recovered from a poor start to enjoy success over a three-year period, as an indication of how things could turn around at Spurs.

"I think I see a lot of similarities to my first head coach job," he said. "Of course, completely different scale.

"This is, of course, a massive club. One of the biggest clubs in the world and so much focus on it, so that makes it of course bigger and a different challenge.

"But I see a lot of similarities when I had my first head coach job in Brondby and here where you try to build something over time.

"You inherit something that you need to try to get right with a lot of good people around me and then where this makes it extra challenging is that we play Champions League and Premier League at the same time.

"And we try to improve while we are driving 100 miles an hour, but that's part of it. That's a good challenge."