By Ossian Shine, Karolos Grohmann and Julien Pretot PYLOS, Greece (Reuters) -Kirsty Coventry smashed through the International Olympic Committee’s glass ceiling on Thursday to become the organisation’s first female and first African president in its 130-year history.

Kirsty Coventry was elected president of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday and became the first woman and first African to get perhaps the biggest job in world sports. "It is a signal that we are truly global," the Zimbabwe sports minister and two-time Olympic swimming gold medalist said.

STORY: Kirsty Coventry is the new president of the International Olympic Committee, becoming the first female and first African to secure the organization's top job in its 130-year history. :: Pylos,