IOC President Thomas Bach continues to play for time when asked whether he could imagine extending his term of office beyond 2025 – and is still not ruling out changing the Olympic Charter. “Internal consultations” are currently taking place in an “open dialogue”. “In due course we will come to a decision that doesn’t put anyone in a corner,” Bach said on Monday at the Stuttgart Sports Talk.
The 69-year-old emphasized again when asked about the initiative of several IOC members during the October session in Mumbai that he was “just a human being” and was “happy about this support that came from different continents.” These members had suggested changing the charter to give Bach the chance to run for another term.
It is “typical that a production is assumed. I find it unacceptable that it is assessed this way without knowledge, without having asked.” If a suggestion is made by members to change the statutes, Bach explained, “then respect for these members and for democratic principles requires that you don’t just brush it off on stage. But that you talk to these people and ask about their motives and that when the decision is ready, this decision is made clear to them.”
Bach indicated that many IOC members want to avoid disruption to preparations for the 2024 Paris Summer Games. Others had referred to “turbulent times” in which it was “difficult” to “change teams now,” said the 1976 Olympic fencing champion.
Bach has headed the IOC since 2013 and was confirmed in office for four years in 2021. According to the current constitution of the International Olympic Committee, another election is ruled out. However, there is the possibility of change; an application must go through various instances, including the executive committee headed by Bach. The IOC General Assembly would then have to approve a change to the charter with a two-thirds majority. The next IOC session will take place shortly before the Summer Games in Paris (July 26 to August 11, 2024).