International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach announced at the Paris Games that he will step down at the end of his current term, opting not to pursue a third term in office. Bach, a 70-year-old German lawyer who has led the IOC since 2013, expressed that the time had come for new leadership within the organization.
Despite being urged to continue, Bach stated he would not seek to extend his tenure by amending the Olympic Charter, which restricts the president’s term to a maximum of 12 years. He acknowledged that his decision might disappoint some but emphasized that it was in the best interest of the Olympic movement.
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The election for Bach’s successor will take place during the IOC’s 143rd session in Greece The new president will assume office in June 2025, following the month of March. Potential candidates to succeed Bach include Kirsty Coventry, a former swimmer from Zimbabwe, Nicole Hoevertsz, an IOC vice-president from Aruba, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe, and Prince Feisal of Jordan, an IOC Executive Board member.
Bach’s career within the IOC has been marked by significant contributions, including his role as a founding member of the Athletes’ Commission. He became an IOC member at 37 and later assumed the presidency with a commitment to making the Games more sustainable and cost-effective, encapsulated in his slogan, “change or be changed.”
Throughout his tenure, Bach has consistently opposed the use of sports boycotts and sought to insulate the Olympics from political conflicts. The next person in charge will be responsible for the Olympic calendar, which is guaranteed until 2034. Additionally, there is rising enthusiasm for hosting the Games in 2036 and 2040.
