IOC Presidential Race Intensifies as Leadership Transition Begins in Ancient Olympia

Outgoing President Thomas Bach reflects on his 12-year tenure while seven candidates vie for the role ahead of Thursday’s election.

The International Olympic Committee's session has commenced in Ancient Olympia, Greece, with the election of a new president set for Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Thomas Bach, who has served as IOC president for 12 years, will step down in June 2025, ensuring a transition period for the new leadership.
Seven candidates, including Sebastian Coe, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, and Kirsty Coventry, are competing for the position, with no clear front-runner emerging yet.
Bach’s farewell speech emphasized the Olympic Games' role in promoting peace and the fragility of this ideal in the face of global conflicts.
The new president will serve an eight-year term, with the possibility of re-election for an additional four years, shaping the future of the Olympic movement.