The race to succeed Thomas Bach as the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is heating up, with seven individuals throwing their hats into the ring. The list of candidates, announced on Monday, boasts a diverse mix of Olympic legends, sports leaders, royalty, and even the son of a former IOC president.
Two-time Olympic champions, Kirsty Coventry and Sebastian Coe, are among the frontrunners. Coventry, a former world record holder in the 200m backstroke, is the only woman on the list. She is seeking to become the first female president of the IOC in its 130-year history, challenging the organization’s predominantly male leadership.
Coe, a four-time Olympic medalist with two gold medals in 1980 and 1984, has faced legal obstacles in registering his candidacy but ultimately secured a place among the contenders.
The list also includes Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan, a member of the IOC board, and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., one of the four IOC vice presidents whose father, Juan Antonio Samaranch Sr., served as president for 21 years until 2001.
Other contenders include the global leaders of cycling, gymnastics, and skiing: David Lappartient, president of cycling’s governing body; Morinari Watanabe, head of gymnastics; and Johan Eliasch, president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. Coe, meanwhile, currently leads track’s World Athletics.
All seven candidates submitted letters of intent to Bach by the Sunday deadline. Bach, who has reached the maximum 12 years in office, announced his decision not to seek another term in Paris last month.
“As a result of deep deliberations and extensive discussions, also with my family, I have come to the conclusion that I should not have my mandate extended beyond the term limit stipulated by the Olympic Charter,” he said.
The formal candidate list is expected to be confirmed in January, three months before the election meeting scheduled for March 18-21 in Greece, near the site of Ancient Olympia.
The IOC, known as one of the most exclusive clubs in world sports, has a diverse membership encompassing European and Middle Eastern royalty, international sports leaders, former and current Olympic athletes, politicians, diplomats, and industrialists, including some billionaires like Eliasch. Only IOC members are eligible to run for president, with the 111-strong membership casting their votes for the next leader of the Olympic movement.
