2024-09-16 12:46:01
Olympia
One female candidate and six other candidates, including the head of the World Athletics Federation Sebastian Coe and FIS President Johan Eliasch, are running to succeed Thomas Bach as President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Shortly before the end of the Olympic Games in Paris, the German Bach (70) announced that he did not want to remain at the head of the IOC beyond the end of his second term.
In addition to the two-time Olympic champion Coe (67) and Eliasch (62), Prince Feisal bin al-Hussein from Jordan (60), the French world cycling association boss David Lappartient (51) and Juan Antonio Samaranch junior (64), son of the former IOC president from Spain, are candidates.
As the IOC announced on Monday, gymnastics boss Morinari Watanabe (65) has also applied. The only woman on the list is Zimbabwe’s sports minister Kirsty Coventry (41), who won gold twice at the Olympics as a swimmer. The new IOC leadership will be elected in Athens in mid-March 2025.
Several hurdles for Coe
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Shortly before the candidates were announced, the IOC Ethics Commission, headed by former UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, reminded everyone of the rules for the presidency. These pose several hurdles for the experienced top official Coe. Firstly, an IOC boss must be a member of the Rings Circle for the entire duration of his term of office. Coe, on the other hand, would retire in 2027 because he must give up the presidency of the athletics association after twelve years.
In addition, the age limit for IOC members is 70 years and can only be extended once for four years. The first term of office of the IOC President is eight years. This means that several IOC rules may have to be changed to allow 67-year-old Coe to become president.
Controversial Eliasch has been an IOC member since July
FIS boss Eliasch was only elected as one of eight new IOC members in July. Even then, the controversial president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation only received 64 of 92 possible votes. The British-Swedish multimillionaire’s term in office has been marked by open trench warfare with the major winter sports nations.
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– Who are the main candidates for the IOC presidency to succeed Thomas Bach?
Who Will Succeed Thomas Bach? A Look at the Candidates Vying for IOC Presidency
The world of international sports is abuzz with the announcement of seven candidates, including one female contender, vying for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The election, set to take place in Athens in mid-March 2025, will determine the successor to Thomas Bach, who has decided not to run for a third term as IOC President.
The Candidates
Among the contenders are some prominent figures in the world of sports, including:
- Sebastian Coe: The 67-year-old two-time Olympic champion and current head of the World Athletics Federation is one of the front-runners for the position. However, his candidacy is not without its challenges, as we’ll explore later.
- Johan Eliasch: The 62-year-old President of the International Ski Federation (FIS) brings a wealth of experience in sports administration to the table.
- Prince Feisal bin al-Hussein: The 60-year-old royal from Jordan has a strong background in sports, having served as the President of the Jordan Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Academy.
- David Lappartient: The 51-year-old French cycling official is the current President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
- Juan Antonio Samaranch junior: The 64-year-old son of the former IOC President from Spain has a long history of involvement in the Olympic movement.
- Morinari Watanabe: The 65-year-old Japanese gymnastics official is the current President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
- Kirsty Coventry: The 41-year-old Zimbabwean sports minister and two-time Olympic champion swimmer is the only female candidate in the running.
Challenges for Coe
While Coe’s experience and reputation make him a strong contender, there are several hurdles he must overcome. Firstly, the IOC rules require its President to be a member of the Olympic Committee for the entire duration of their term. Coe, however, would need to step down as President of the World Athletics Federation in 2027, after 12 years in the role.
Additionally, the IOC has an age limit of 70 years for its members, which can only be extended once for four years. As Coe would be 73 by the end of his potential first term as IOC President, this could pose a significant obstacle.
The Road Ahead
The election of the next IOC President is set to take place in Athens in mid-March 2025. The candidates will need to campaign and win the support of IOC members from around the world. With a diverse range of candidates, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, the outcome is far from certain.
As the world of sports waits with bated breath for the outcome of this election, one thing is clear: the next IOC President will play a crucial role in shaping the future of international sports and the Olympic movement.
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Thomas Bach
Sebastian Coe
Johan Eliasch
Prince Feisal bin al-Hussein
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Juan Antonio Samaranch junior
Morinari Watanabe
Kirsty Coventry
International Olympic Committee
World Athletics Federation
International Ski Federation
Jordan Olympic Committee
International Olympic Academy
Union Cycliste Internationale
International Gymnastics Federation
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* International Sports
– Who are the candidates vying to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC President?
The Road to the IOC Presidency: Candidates Emerge to Succeed Thomas Bach
As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games come to a close, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is gearing up for a significant change in leadership. With Thomas Bach, the current IOC President, announcing his decision not to run for re-election, the stage is set for a new era of Olympic leadership. Seven candidates, including one female candidate, have thrown their hats into the ring to succeed Bach, with the election set to take place in Athens in March 2025.
The Candidates
The IOC announced the list of candidates on Monday, which includes:
- Sebastian Coe, the 67-year-old President of World Athletics Federation
- Johan Eliasch, the 62-year-old President of the International Ski Federation (FIS)
- Prince Feisal bin al-Hussein from Jordan, aged 60
- David Lappartient, the 51-year-old President of the International Cycling Union (UCI)
- Juan Antonio Samaranch junior, the 64-year-old son of the former IOC President from Spain
- Morinari Watanabe, the 65-year-old President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG)
- Kirsty Coventry, the 41-year-old Zimbabwean Sports Minister and two-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, who is the only