2023-10-15 21:48:01
Elected in 2013, then re-elected in 2021, Thomas Bach must leave the chair of President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2025. However, members of the institution have publicly expressed their wish to see the current tenant of the Château de Vidy (Switzerland) be extended in his functions. The debate is open.
Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, on the first day of the 141st Session in Bombay, India (Credits – IOC / Greg Martin)
Over the past decade, the IOC has experienced many upheavals.
In terms of governance, the institution has notably seen the adoption of several major reforms,Agenda 2020 at theAgenda 2020+5 passing through the New Standard. The application process has been fundamentally overhauled, leading to a more sustained dialogue with the contenders and a more flexible scenography in the progress of the stages until the election of the Host of the Games.
In terms of the Games, the IOC has seen a series of crises unfold which have not, however, disrupted the functioning of the Lausanne (Switzerland) juggernaut.
In fact, following the Russian organized doping scandal revealed following the Sochi 2014 Winter Games, the IOC was faced with the question of postponing the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games in the face of the global coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19before the Beijing 2022 Winter Games was the scene of a warning from the institution towards Russian officials shortly before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
Still with regard to the IOC’s flagship event, the institution has skillfully maneuvered to secure its resources and the sustainability of the Olympic model, by awarding the editions of the 2028 Olympiad eleven years in advance to Los Angeles (California, United States) and 2032 in Brisbane (Australia). Now, the IOC is in the process of awarding the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games simultaneously, as was the case for the 2024-2028 editions in the summer of 2017.
In the midst of reforms and current events, one man managed to hold the helm of the Olympic ship.
In the shadow of Jacques Rogge for years, Thomas Bach revealed himself to the world in September 2013 when he was elected president of the venerable institution founded by Baron Pierre de Coubertin.
Tony Estanguet, President of the Organizing Committee for the Paris 2024 Games, and Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, Monday July 25, 2022 (Credits – IOC / Greg Martin)
Faced with storms, the pragmatism of the German leader – Olympic team foil champion at the 1976 Montreal Games – convinced, both within the institution and at the level of its partners, aware that the IOC remains a major sphere of influence and an economic boon through the Games.
Also, following a first mandate of eight years, Thomas Bach was elected in March 2021 for a second mandate of four years, in accordance with the provisions of the Olympic Charter.
Today, this ability to bring people together might still benefit the current President. In fact, certain members of the IOC publicly spoke out this weekend for an extension of Thomas Bach’s lease at the head of the institution.
Spearheading this event, Mustapha Berraf, President of the Association of African National Olympic Committees (ACNOA). The latter notably affirmed on the first day of the work of the 141st Session meeting in Bombay (India) until October 17:
In these difficult times, we need a boat captain with the necessary experience.
The Olympic Movement needs stability.
On behalf of ANOCA and its members, I propose that Thomas Bach extend his mandate for four more years.
This idea – taken up during the same day by three other Olympic personalities, namely Luis Meija Oviedo (Dominican Republic), Camilo Perez Lopez Moreira (Paraguay) and Aïcha Garad Ali (Djibouti) – had been in the drawers for several weeks. believe its author.
As Mustapha Berraf recognized:
This proposal is not a personal idea.
It comes from ANOCA and the African members of the IOC. We discussed it at a meeting in Paris, then I spoke regarding it to Thomas Bach during the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
He did not answer me, but I know that the majority of members with whom I discussed it are in favor, especially within the International Federations.
We need stability.
In any case, the idea leads us to question the prospect of a modification of the Olympic Charter, because in order to determine a hypothetical third presidential term, the fundamental text of Olympism must be adapted accordingly. .
Also, a motion to this effect would first have to be tabled at least 30 days before the start of an IOC Session, postponing a possible examination to 2024.
Once submitted, the proposed modification should pass through the IOC Legal Affairs Commission, then the Executive Commission, the body empowered to then submit the proposal for approval by the Session. The latter should then endorse the said proposal by two thirds of its members so that the Olympic Charter can be amended to ensure a new mandate for the current President.
Thomas Bach, President of the IOC, and Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan, during the handover of the Olympic flag as part of the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Games, Sunday February 20, 2022 (Credits – IOC / Greg Martin)
The expression of confidence from some of his colleagues was of course appreciated by Thomas Bach. But the main person concerned, however, was careful not to make his intentions known on the subject, maintaining his reserve and the Olympic language that characterizes him.
As Thomas Bach said:
These words of support are not just for me. They are aimed at all of us.
I won’t hide the fact that they went straight to my heart. You know how much I always insist on our unity. I appreciate this support, this friendship and this love.
[…] You know that I am very loyal to the Olympic Charter. Having been one of the authors of this Charter leads me to be even more loyal to this Charter.
With this remark, the President of the IOC obviously thanks his – numerous – supporters, while not closing the door to a potential additional mandate which would lead him to attend the opening of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games and Los Angeles Summer 2028.
However, faced with the enthusiasm of some, other members of the IOC showed more restraint, like the President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and member of the IOC since 2018, Morinari Watanabe.
Speaking to Thomas Bach, the man who appears to be a potential contender for the President’s chair declared in particular:
Regarding the extension of your mandate, I pay attention to the type of image that can be given around the world […] because you were able to teach us the importance of following these rules in the interest of all.
The idea of an extension of the presidential mandate should in any case feed the next discussions of the IOC, even if the institution will also have other subjects on which it will have to decide.
In any case, if no outright opposition is expressed towards Thomas Bach and if no solid candidacy emerges in the months to come, it is not impossible to imagine that a motion tabled can in fine be adopted, provided of course that the current President is ultimately in favor of his own renewal.
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