IOC Announces Candidates for Presidency: Who Are They and Who May Take Charge

With seven candidates eager to succeed Thomas Bach as the next President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), one of the world's most prestigious sports positions is up for grabs. This office traditionally has an incumbent every dozen years, signaling a significant period of stability and influence. This is pepared by SSP.

Thomas Bach, the German lawyer who has helmed the IOC since 2013, announced during the recent Paris Olympics that he would step down following the conclusion of his second term in 2024. The pivotal election, held by secret ballot, is scheduled for March 18-21, 2025, at an exclusive session in Ancient Olympia, Greece. Here, the candidates will present their qualifications to the IOC assembly in a private pre-election meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, come January.

The pool of competitors for the pièce de résistance in sports governance includes prestigious figures such as Britain's two-time Olympic 1500m champion Lord Sebastian Coe, Spaniard Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., Frenchman David Lappartient, Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry, Japanese Morinari Watanabe, Swede Johan Eliasch, and Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan. These experienced individuals bring with them years of exemplary service across various sports disciplines and administrative platforms.

Coventry is uniquely positioned to potentially make history as the IOC's first female and African president. If successful, the role would diversify the historical demographic of previous presidents predominantly comprising European men and one American.

Prince Feisal is recognized for his work leading the Jordan Olympic Committee and Generations for Peace charity. Meanwhile, Coe, an extraordinary middle-distance runner and experienced organizer of the highly successful London 2012 Olympics, praises Olympic sport's fundamental role in his life and envisions greater investment into sports funding and youth participation in the coming decade.

In addition, Eliasch, President of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, and Lappartient, President of the UCI and France's Olympic Committee, boast vast experience. Also in the fray is Samaranch Jr., fostering the legacy of his father’s 21-year tenure, and Watanabe, helming the International Gymnastics Federation since 2017.

The upcoming president faces significant tasks such as finalizing the host for the 2036 Summer Games, securing and renewing vital broadcast deals, particularly with NBC for the U.S. markets, and navigating the international political sports landscape with a potential reconsideration of Russia's participation amid ongoing geopolitical turmoil. With the ever-evolving climate conditions requiring agile adaptability for future event scheduling, the challenges are robust for the next IOC leader.

The office, seated in Lausanne, Switzerland, directs billions from broadcasting and sponsorship into various Olympic activities, ensuring the inclusive distribution of funds among sport associations, athlete scholarships, and special projects globally. An adept knowledge of sport management, political acumen, and keen attention to athletes' experiences form the backbone of this esteemed Inocigo post, making the 2025 election a milestone event in the annals of the IOC.