Race for IOC Presidency heats up as seven candidates present their vision

The race to succeed Thomas Bach as International Olympic Committee (IOC) President reaches a crucial phase as the seven candidates vying for the position will present their vision for the Olympic Movement on 30 January 2025 at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The event, taking place during the 143rd Extraordinary IOC Session, will allow each candidate to outline their strategy for the future of the Olympic Movement before the IOC Members, who will ultimately decide the next leader.

Thomas Bach [By President.gov.ua, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120057081]
Thomas Bach [By President.gov.ua, CC BY 4.0]
The election itself will take place at the 144th IOC Session, scheduled for 18-21 March 2025 in Greece, with the new IOC President taking over on 23 June—the day Bach’s tenure officially ends on Olympic Day.

Candidates to Present Their Case

In the order determined by the drawing of lots in November, each candidate will have 15 minutes to deliver their presentation, followed by a 10-minute media interaction. The media session will be live-streamed on IOC Media YouTube.

The candidates, all seasoned leaders across sports, business, politics, philanthropy, and even the military, pledge to strengthen Olympic solidarity while tackling the critical challenges facing global sports.

The Seven IOC Presidency Candidates

1️⃣ HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein – IOC Executive Board Member
2️⃣ David Lappartient – President of the International Cycling Union
3️⃣ Johan Eliasch – President of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation
4️⃣ Juan Antonio Samaranch – IOC Vice President
5️⃣ Kirsty Coventry – IOC Executive Board Member
6️⃣ Lord Sebastian Coe – President of World Athletics
7️⃣ Morinari Watanabe – President of the International Gymnastics Federation

With backgrounds spanning Olympic administration, international sports federations, and global leadership, each candidate is expected to bring a unique vision for the future of the Olympic Movement.

What’s Next?

🔹 30 January 2025 – Candidates present their manifestos at the 143rd IOC Extraordinary Session
🔹 18-21 March 2025 – IOC election at the 144th Session in Greece
🔹 23 June 2025 – The new IOC President assumes office on Olympic Day

With the stakes high and the election fast approaching, the future of the IOC and global sports governance is set for a major shift in 2025.

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