IOC Members consider extending President Thomas Bach's term beyond 2025
Key Points(5)
- <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several International Olympic Committee (IOC) members have suggested altering term-limit rules to enable IOC President Thomas Bach to extend his presidency for four additional years, through 2029.
- The Algerian leader of African Olympic bodies, Mustapha Berraf, emphasized the need for a leader who has demonstrated their capabilities during challenging times.
- He expressed loyalty to the Olympic Charter, which he co-authored.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Extending Bach's term would require submitting a proposal ahead of the IOC's annual meeting, known as the Session.
- of Spain, and Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe's sports minister, who is seen as a protege of Bach.
- Juan Antonio Samaranch's father served as the IOC president for 21 years from 1980 to 2001, followed by Jacques Rogge of Belgium, who served the maximum 12 years allowed under the post-Salt Lake City reforms.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->
Several International Olympic Committee (IOC) members have suggested altering term-limit rules to enable IOC President Thomas Bach to extend his presidency for four additional years, through 2029. Bach's current term is set to conclude in 2025, following a 12-year maximum tenure that was established as part of anti-corruption reforms implemented after the Salt Lake City bid scandal in the 1990s.
IOC members cited the global crises of recent years as a reason to seek Bach's continued leadership, which began in 2013. The Algerian leader of African Olympic bodies, Mustapha Berraf, emphasized the need for a leader who has demonstrated their capabilities during challenging times. Other IOC members from the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, and Djibouti echoed this sentiment.
While Bach has not publicly expressed a desire for a third term, the possibility has been discussed within international sports circles since his re-election in 2021 during a meeting held remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The IOC initially grants its president an eight-year term.
Bach neither endorsed nor rejected the proposal
In response to the members' support, Bach neither endorsed nor rejected the proposal but pointed out that the presidential term limit is a fundamental part of the IOC's rules and principles. He expressed loyalty to the Olympic Charter, which he co-authored.
Extending Bach's term would require submitting a proposal ahead of the IOC's annual meeting, known as the Session. The next Session is scheduled for July in Paris, on the eve of the 2024 Summer Games.
As of now, only one IOC member, Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics and a two-time Olympic champion, has publicly discussed the possibility of running for the IOC presidency. However, Coe turns 70 in September 2026, which means his IOC membership would expire in 2026, and the next election in 2025 may be his only opportunity.
The IOC meeting concluded with a reminder from the Ethics Commission that the Olympic Charter, as currently written, limits presidential terms. Members turning 70 can receive a one-time extension of four years but must then step down when that year concludes.
Gymnastics federation president Morinari Watanabe a possible candidate
Bach, who turns 70 in December, has been an IOC member since before the Salt Lake City reforms and can remain in the position until he reaches the age of 80.
Gymnastics federation president Morinari Watanabe, who is speculated to be a possible candidate for IOC leadership, diplomatically expressed a counterargument to extending Bach's term. He stressed the importance of sports organizations adhering to rules, high integrity, and good governance, highlighting the discipline and fairness that sports bring to society.
The discussion about potential successors to Bach has included names like Nicole Hoevertsz of Aruba, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. of Spain, and Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe's sports minister, who is seen as a protege of Bach. Juan Antonio Samaranch's father served as the IOC president for 21 years from 1980 to 2001, followed by Jacques Rogge of Belgium, who served the maximum 12 years allowed under the post-Salt Lake City reforms.
