The Olympic Movement is set to welcome a new leader next year as International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has confirmed his plans to step down in 2025.
In a heartfelt address to IOC members on Saturday, the 70-year-old German emphasized the importance of leadership change for the credibility and future of the Olympics. \"The Olympics will be best served with a change in leadership,\" Bach stated, highlighting the need to navigate an increasingly digital and politically pressured world.
Bach has led the IOC since September 2013, a tenure that was initially capped by term limits introduced after the Salt Lake City bidding scandal 25 years ago. Despite speculation last October that he might extend his presidency, Bach reaffirmed his commitment to governance and term limits on the penultimate day of the 2024 Paris Summer Games.
Looking ahead, Bach stressed the importance of building strong relations with emerging powers in the \"ever more influential so-called Global South.\" \"New times are calling for new leaders,\" he remarked, visibly emotional as he acknowledged the disappointment his decision may bring to many members.
An election to choose the next IOC President is scheduled for the March 18-21 meetings in Greece. Potential candidates include Vice Presidents Nicole Hoevertsz of Aruba and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. of Spain, as well as Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and former Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe. Notably, the IOC has never had a woman serve as president in its 130-year history.
Among the frontrunners is Sebastian Coe, head of World Athletics and a two-time Olympic champion. Coe, who previously led the Organizing Committee for the 2012 London Summer Games and served as a lawmaker in the British Parliament, is seen as a highly qualified contender. However, questions remain about whether his 68 years comply with the IOC's age limit for elected members.
The transition marks the end of Bach's influential leadership, which has been pivotal in steering the IOC through various challenges and reforms. As the Olympic community looks forward to new leadership, the focus remains on maintaining the integrity and global spirit of the Games.
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IOC President Thomas Bach confirms plans to leave office in 2025
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