Newly elected International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry arrived Sunday in her home country of Zimbabwe to a hero's welcome as her victory is celebrated as a national milestone.
The southern African country has faced years of isolation and sanctions by the United States and other Western nations.
The 41-year-old Coventry, who is also Zimbabwe's sports minister , was the only female candidate in the IOC presidency race and became the first woman and first African to be elected head of the global Olympic movement.
She beat six other candidates in the vote in Greece on Thursday, including the head of world track and field, the head of international cycling and a member of Jordan's royal family.
"It's not just my success, it is our success. We broke down barriers," Coventry said in Zimbabwe.