The race for the most influential position in global sports is reaching its climax as International Olympic Committee members gather in Greece this week to elect a new president. With Thomas Bach’s tenure coming to an end, the seven candidates are making their final appeals, hoping to secure the top role. To win the majority of the 100+ IOC votes on Thursday is crucial for the potential successor.
The contenders vying for the presidency include David Lappartient, head of international cycling, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., current IOC vice-president, Sebastian Coe, leader of World Athletics, Kirsty Coventry, a multiple Olympic swimming champion and Zimbabwe’s sports minister, Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, Morinari Watanabe, head of the International Gymnastics Federation, and Johan Eliasch, a newcomer to the Olympics and leader of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation.
The outcome of Thursday’s election, taking place in a seaside resort near Pylos, will shape the future of global sports alongside international sports federations, national Olympic committees, and the IOC’s key sponsors. The incoming president will face immediate challenges such as defining competition rules for transgender athletes and managing relations with the U.S. government following recent controversies.
Maintaining the success of the Olympic Games, managing the Russia situation, and addressing marketing concerns will also be top priorities for the new president. The candidates will participate in multiple rounds of voting, with the candidate receiving the fewest votes eliminated in each round until a majority is achieved.
In 2013, Bach emerged as the top contender and secured victory. Coe, Samaranch, and Coventry, who were previously favored by Bach, are now believed to have an advantage over other candidates. The decision on the future direction of the Olympic Games lies with the diverse membership, comprising sports officials, business leaders, royals, and wealthy individuals. The outcome is yet to be determined. (Written by Karolos Grohmann; Edited by Christian Radnedge)
