The 39-year-old double Olympic swimming gold medallist was first appointed to the role in September 2018, and many believed her position was under threat.

Coventry's first spell as Minister was overshadowed by claims that she had been ineffectual and a row involving the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).

In February 2022, FIFA suspended the ZFA when the Government's Sports and Recreation Commission suspended the governing body because of financial irregularities and allegations of sexual harassment of female referees by technical staff.

Several members of the ZIFA Board accused Coventry of lying to Parliament that they misappropriated part of a $2 million (£1.6 million/€1.9 million) funding package provided by the Government and that some of them have been suspended over sexual harassment issues.

Coventry refused to retract her remarks.

In July, FIFA lifted the ban on Zimbabwe playing international matches and established a temporary Normalisation Committee to run the affairs at the ZIFA until June 2024.

Mnangagwa won a second term as Zimbabwe President in a disputed vote last month, which the opposition described as a "gigantic fraud" following criticism from election observers who say the election failed to meet regional and international standards.

Coventry’s appointment was among several announced in Harare by Mnangagwa, including his son David as the Deputy Finance Minister.

Mthuli Ncube was retained as the Finance Minister as he battles to rescue the country's ailing economy, which has included failing to repay a $17 billion (£13 billion/€16 billion) international debt.

The President's nephew Tongai Mnangagwa has also been given a role as Deputy Tourism Minister.

The Citizens Coalition for Change party, which has rejected the victory of 80-year-old Mnangagwa in elections last month, has claimed appointing family members was "particularly worrying."

Mnangagwa defended his decision to give Coventry another five-year term in his Cabinet.

"I have re-appointed her because l am happy with her performance," he said.

"Whoever was not impressed by her can appoint someone else when they become President.

"When a Minister is appointed, they report to the appointer.

"It is me who gets satisfied whether a Minister is doing well or not.

"The fact that I’ve reappointed her means I’m satisfied."

Coventry’s portfolio also includes the arts in Zimbabwe, and she has been criticised by that sector for not doing enough for the industry.

Academic and arts critic Fred Zindi was among those disappointed that Coventry had been retained and claimed that race had played a part in the decision.

Coventry is the only member of Zimbabwe's white minority included in Mnangagwa's Cabinet.

"If the President wants to improve the Zimbabwean arts and culture, he should appoint a more suitable Minister," he told Zimbabwe newspaper NewsDay.

"Coventry has been kept there simply because she is white."

Coventry, winner of a total of seven Olympic medals, including golds in the 200 metres backstroke at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, is considered to be among the frontrunners to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC President when he is due to step down in 2025.

Coventry leads the IOC’s Coordination Commission for the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.