At the Olympic House this Thursday, seven distinguished candidates took the stage to present their visions for the future of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). With the presidency up for election, each candidate had a unique perspective on how to steer the Olympic movement forward in a rapidly changing world.
Determined by a draw in November, the order of presentations began with Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan. He was followed by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) President David Lappartient, International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) President Johan Eliasch, IOC Vice-President Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., Zimbabwe's Olympic swimming champion and sports minister Kirsty Coventry, World Athletics (WA) President Sebastian Coe, and International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) President Morinari Watanabe.
Each candidate was allotted a 15-minute presentation in front of the IOC Members during a closed-door meeting. The election for the new IOC president is scheduled to take place at the 144th IOC Session in Greece from March 18 to 21.
In a rare face-to-face media interaction at the IOC headquarters since the outbreak of COVID-19, the candidates also engaged in a news meeting with selected media representatives. During a 10-minute Q&A session for each, they elaborated on pressing issues such as athletes' rights and welfare, climate change, gender equality, anti-doping measures, and the adoption of new broadcasting technologies. The manifestos of all candidates were previously published by the IOC in December.
Candidates Outline Their Visions
Prince Feisal Al Hussein, 61, structured his presentation around three strategic imperatives: inspiring imagination, ensuring integrity, and developing inclusion. He emphasized the need to unite the Olympic community through these core values.
David Lappartient, 51, who also serves as the President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, highlighted the challenges facing the IOC, including global instability, climate change, and digitalization. He stressed the importance of adapting to these changes to keep the Olympic spirit alive.
Johan Eliasch, 62, focused on enhancing sponsorship for the Olympic Games and proposed a scheme to rotate Olympic venues in the coming years. He believes this approach could promote sustainability and global engagement.
Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., 65, son of former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch, emphasized the crucial role of the media in promoting the Olympic movement. He stated, \"The media are not our enemies, but our allies,\" advocating for stronger relationships with media outlets.
Kirsty Coventry, 41, the youngest candidate and the only female and African contender, shared her personal journey toward becoming a presidential candidate. She asserted, \"I want to be the best candidate to win, not just because of my gender or where I come from,\" highlighting her commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Sebastian Coe, 68, acknowledged concerns about his age but insisted on his continued engagement with younger generations. Despite the IOC's age limit of 70 for members, Coe expressed confidence in his ability to lead and inspire.
Morinari Watanabe, 65, proposed staging the Olympic Games simultaneously across five continents and advocated for reducing the Games' financial budget. His innovative ideas aim to make the Olympics more accessible and cost-effective.
A New Era for the IOC
The upcoming election marks the end of Thomas Bach's 12-year tenure as IOC president. Elected in 2013, Bach leaves behind a legacy of navigating the Olympic movement through significant challenges, including the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Games due to the pandemic.
The selection of the next president comes at a pivotal time for the IOC, as it seeks to modernize and adapt to global shifts while upholding the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect. The candidates' diverse backgrounds and proposals reflect a commitment to driving the Olympic movement forward in innovative ways.
The world awaits the decision at the 144th IOC Session, where the future direction of the Olympic Games will be shaped by new leadership.
Reference(s):
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