The race to determine the next president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reaches its climax today in Athens, Greece, as seven candidates battle to succeed Thomas Bach in what is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable elections in decades. With high stakes and intense lobbying behind closed doors, the outcome will shape the future of the Olympic Games for years to come.
The contenders for the top job in global sports governance include World Athletics president and former Olympic champion Sebastine Coe, HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Zimbabwean Olympian Kirsty Coventry, Johan Eliasch, David Lappartient, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., son of the former IOC president of the same name, and Morinari Watanabe.
What makes this election particularly intriguing is its unique voting process, a system with rules dating back over a century. The process mirrors the secrecy of a papal conclave, with IOC members required to surrender their electronic devices before entering a closed session. Successive rounds of voting eliminate the lowest-ranked candidate in each round, with the final winner needing an absolute majority to secure victory. In the event of a tie, an intermediate vote determines who advances. The suspense could stretch through six voting rounds before a new leader is announced.
Since 1925, when Count Henri de Baillet-Latour of Belgium succeeded Pierre de Coubertin, IOC elections have been known for their secrecy and backroom negotiations. The results of eliminated candidates remain undisclosed until the final announcement, adding to the tension and unpredictability surrounding today’s vote.
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The newly elected president will officially assume office on June 24, 2025, for an initial term running until 2033, with the possibility of re-election. However, age restrictions could play a significant role in the tenure of some candidates. According to IOC expert Raúl Daffunchio Picazo, Coe, the oldest candidate at 68, could only serve a limited term due to the IOC’s age cap of 70, which can be extended by up to four years in exceptional cases. By contrast, Coventry, the only female candidate at 41, could potentially remain in office until 2053 or even 2057 if granted an extension.
With the election set to unfold in a highly confidential setting, alliances, national considerations, and strategic maneuvering will be critical in determining the next leader of the Olympic movement. As the sporting world watches, the IOC’s future leadership hangs in the balance.
