The Olympic Movement is set to welcome new leadership next year as International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach confirmed his plans to leave office in 2025. In a meeting with IOC members on Saturday, Bach announced he will not seek to change the rules to extend his tenure, stating that the Olympics will be “best served with a change in leadership.”
Bach, who has led the IOC since September 2013, is approaching the end of his 12-year presidency—a term limit introduced following reforms after the Salt Lake City bidding scandal 25 years ago. Speculation had grown since last October that he might consider extending his term after IOC members urged him to remain. However, the 70-year-old German leader dispelled any doubts during the penultimate day of the 2024 Paris Summer Games, emphasizing the importance of respecting governance “in order to safeguard the credibility of the IOC.”
“New times are calling for new leaders,” Bach expressed emotionally, pausing at times to hold back tears. “I, with my age, am not the best captain. I know with this decision I am disappointing many of you.”
An election to choose his successor is scheduled for the IOC meetings in Greece from March 18 to 21. The next president will face the challenge of navigating an increasingly digital and politically pressured world, building strong relations with emerging powers in the “ever more influential so-called Global South.”
Potential candidates include several members of the IOC’s Executive Board. Vice Presidents Nicole Hoevertsz of Aruba and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. of Spain are among the frontrunners. Samaranch Jr.’s father served as IOC President for 21 years until 2001. Board members Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and former Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe are also expected to be contenders.
The IOC has never had a woman serve as president in its 130-year history, highlighting the potential for a historic shift if candidates like Hoevertsz or Coventry are elected. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, an IOC member and former President of Croatia, could also emerge as a significant figure in the upcoming election.
Sebastian Coe, the head of World Athletics and a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 1,500 meters, has long been considered a qualified candidate. Coe led the Organizing Committee for the 2012 London Summer Games and is a former British Parliament member. However, his candidacy remains uncertain due to age limitations and past differences with Bach, including divergent stances on issues like Russia’s doping scandal and its conflict with Ukraine.
The upcoming leadership change marks a significant moment for the Olympic Movement, as the new president will shape the future of global sports amidst evolving geopolitical landscapes and technological advancements.
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IOC President Thomas Bach confirms plans to leave office in 2025
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