Successor of Bach
New IOC boss wanted: Whoever has the best chances
20.03.2025 – 11:05 a.m.Reading time: 3 min.
On Thursday it will be voted on who will succeed Thomas Bach and will lead the international Olympic Committee in the future. It is quite complicated.
Today, Thursday at 3 p.m., the decision on the successor of Thomas Bach as President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is made. After twelve years at the head of the organization, the 71-year-old withdraws from his office. The choice takes place behind closed doors in a luxury resort in Greece, around three hours of car from Athens.
T-online answers all important questions about the choice.
According to the statutes of the Olympic Charter, Bach cannot compete again after two terms. The German was first elected in 2013 and confirmed in office in 2021. Although some IOC members had asked him to continue, Bach decided after the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, to avoid changing charta and put down his office.
Kirsty Coventry is considered the most promising candidate. The 41-year-old Minister of Sports from Zimbabwe and former top swimmer is traded as a desired candidate Bach. She would be the first woman to continue the agenda reforms of the outgoing president at the head of the IOC. At the presentation of the candidates in January, however, Coventry left a reserved impression.
Other favorites include the British Sebastian Coe (68), head of the World Athletics Association and finally a clear opposite pole to Bach and the Spaniard Juan Antonio Samaranch JR. (65). The son of a former IOC president could win many votes through his contacts and his program as a compromise candidate.
David Lappartient (51), head of the World Cycling Association from France, and Prince Faisal al-Hussein (62) from Jordan, opportunities also pay opportunities-albeit more as an outsider. The controversial Ski World Association President Johan Eliasch (63) from Sweden and the Japanese Morinari Watanabe (66), head of the gymnastics association, are considered candidates with the slightest chance of success.
109 IOC members vote secretly. Before the choice, you have to hand in your mobile phones and other electronic devices. The candidate who reaches the absolute majority of the votes is elected. If nobody receives this in the first ballot, the applicant is excluded with the fewest votes. If there is a tie in the last round, Thomas Bach decides with his voice – until then he waived his right to vote.
The currently 109 IOC members include illustrious personalities such as Prince Albert of Monaco, the British Princess Anne, Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, the difficult Indian Philanthropin Nita Ambani, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the former Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović.
The new IOC boss takes office on June 24th. Until then, Thomas Bach remains in office. The German justified the longer transition period by giving it the opportunity to familiarize themselves intensively to the successor and get to know the processes and institutions.
The future IOC leadership has to deal with the dealings with Russia-a topic that the IOC has been working for years. Added to this is the global political situation, which, due to the possible return of Donald Trump, has additional uncertainties into the office of US President.