Seven influential candidates, together with Olympians and international sports activities leaders, are competing to succeed Thomas Bach as the subsequent Worldwide Olympic Committee President in 2025.
The race to turn into the subsequent President of the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) is shaping up with seven influential candidates vying for the highest place. Amongst them are former Olympians, sports activities directors, and royalty from the Center East. The IOC election will happen through the 143rd IOC Session in Greece from March 18 to 21, 2025, the place certainly one of these contenders will succeed outgoing President Thomas Bach for the subsequent eight years. Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the candidates.
Prince Feisal Al Hussein (Jordan)
HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein is a central determine in international sports activities administration. He has been an IOC member since 2010 and presently serves as President of the Jordan Olympic Committee. Moreover, he chairs the IOC’s Prevention of Harassment and Abuse in Sport Working Group and serves on a number of IOC commissions. Prince Feisal has been deeply concerned in sports activities governance since 1999 when he chaired the Pan Arab Video games Organising Committee and later turned President of the Jordan Olympic Committee in 2003. He additionally sits on the Govt Board of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and chairs the Peace By means of Sport Committee.
With a protracted profession in sports activities governance and his vital contributions to the Olympic motion, Prince Feisal is well-positioned as a number one candidate for the IOC presidency.
Sebastian Coe (Nice Britain)
Sebastian Coe, a former British Olympian and middle-distance runner, has additionally entered the race to turn into the IOC president. Coe is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time Olympic medalist who set eight world data in his operating profession. In 2003, Coe joined the Worldwide Affiliation of Athletics Federations (IAAF, now World Athletics), the place he later turned President. He additionally performed a key position in London’s profitable bid for the 2012 Olympics and was Chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Video games.
Coe, who was elected as an IOC member in 2020, is seen as a seasoned chief with deep connections to worldwide sports activities. His present time period as President of World Athletics runs till 2027, and his popularity as a key participant in international athletics strengthens his bid for the IOC presidency.
Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe)
Kirsty Coventry is the one lady within the identify and brings a wealth of expertise as a five-time Olympian and seven-time Olympic medallist in swimming. Representing Zimbabwe, she gained gold within the 200m backstroke and was a former world file holder. Coventry has been actively concerned in sports activities governance and is presently Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Fee and Vice President of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee. She additionally runs the Kirsty Coventry Academy, which promotes swimming and helps underprivileged communities.
Coventry’s private accomplishments in sport, coupled together with her dedication to athlete welfare and management in sports activities administration, make her a robust candidate for the IOC presidency.
Johan Eliasch (Sweden/Nice Britain)
Johan Eliasch, President of the Worldwide Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), is a notable determine in winter sports activities. A former aggressive roller, Eliasch has held management roles throughout varied sports activities our bodies, together with the British Olympic Affiliation and Particular Olympics Nice Britain. Since 2021, he has served as FIS President, overseeing worldwide snowboarding and snowboarding competitions.
Eliasch’s expertise in winter sports activities and his connections to Olympic organizations globally have made him a notable contender within the IOC election.
David Lappartient (France)
David Lappartient, the present President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), additionally stands out on this race. Lappartient has been an IOC member since 2022 and is the Chair of the IOC’s Esports and Gaming Liaison Group. He has a background in aggressive biking and has been concerned in international biking governance for a few years, together with his position as Chair of the UCI World Biking Centre Basis Board.
With a imaginative and prescient for the way forward for biking and rising sports activities, Lappartient brings a contemporary perspective to the IOC presidency.
Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. (Spain)
Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. has been a member of the IOC since 2001 and is the son of the previous IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch. His in depth background in sports activities administration contains serving as Chef de Mission for the Spanish delegations at a number of Olympic Video games. Samaranch has additionally held management positions inside the Spanish Nationwide Olympic Committee and the Worldwide Fashionable Pentathlon Union (UIPM).
Samaranch Jr.’s long-standing involvement within the Olympic motion and his household’s legacy place him as a seasoned candidate for the presidency.
Morinari Watanabe (Japan)
Morinari Watanabe is the ninth President of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) and the primary Asian to carry this place. He has been a member of the IOC since 2018 and has held varied management roles in Japanese and worldwide gymnastics organizations. Watanabe has additionally served as a coach in creative and rhythmic gymnastics and performed a vital position in organizing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Video games.
With a wealthy background in gymnastics and sports activities governance, Watanabe brings a novel perspective to the IOC presidential race, representing the pursuits of each athletes and sports activities officers.
Because the 143rd IOC Session approaches in March 2025, the worldwide sporting group will watch carefully to see who will tackle the duty of main the Olympic Video games into its subsequent chapter.
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