COSTA NAVARINO, Greece, 19 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to elect a new president on Thursday at the coastal resort of Costa Navarino in Greece, marking the end of Thomas Bach’s tenure.
Bach was first elected in 2013 for an initial eight-year term, succeeding Belgian Jacques Rogge. He was subsequently re-elected for a four-year term in 2021. However, the 71-year-old German announced during the Paris Olympics last August that he would not seek a third term, stating: “New times are calling for new leaders.”
The following are profiles of the seven candidates vying for the prestigious position:
Sebastian Coe (Great Britain)
A charismatic figure in both athletics and sports administration, Sebastian Coe hopes to extend his winning streak into Olympic governance. The 68-year-old Englishman, a two-time Olympic gold medallist in the 1,500 metres, successfully led the bid and organisation of the 2012 London Olympics.
Since his election as president of World Athletics in 2015, Coe has reformed the body following the troubled reign of his predecessor, Lamine Diack, who was convicted in France for his role in covering up Russian doping scandals.
Coe demonstrated strong leadership by enforcing a blanket ban on Russian athletes for the Paris Games due to the invasion of Ukraine. However, his decision to introduce prize money for Olympic champions in athletics has received mixed reactions within the Olympic Movement.
“On reflection, I would have announced it and done it in a different way,” Coe admitted to AFP in January.
He has also placed a significant emphasis on protecting women’s sport, particularly amid the gender eligibility debates at the Paris Games.
David Lappartient (France)
An ambitious Frenchman, David Lappartient has only been an IOC member since 2022 but boasts an impressive CV. The 51-year-old has held the presidency of the International Cycling Union since 2017 and has played a key role in securing the 2030 Winter Olympics for the French Alps.
However, his campaign has faced some hurdles. French biathlon legend Martin Fourcade declined the role of head of the 2030 organising committee, citing “numerous disagreements” with regional political figures, particularly regarding environmental concerns. Additionally, the emergence of fellow Frenchman Tony Estanguet, the successful head of the Paris 2024 organising committee, as an IOC member could impact Lappartient’s chances.
Lappartient supports the reintegration of Russia into the Olympic community, stating: “They are destined to naturally regain a place in the world of sport.”
Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior (Spain)
Son of the late Juan Antonio Samaranch, who served as IOC president from 1980 to 2001 and transformed it into a commercial powerhouse, Samaranch Junior has become a key figure within the movement.
The 65-year-old, a former perfume salesman and banker, is currently serving his second term as an IOC vice-president. A media-savvy communicator, he has been a member of the coordinating committees for three Winter Olympics, including chairing the Beijing 2022 Games.
When asked what he would bring to the IOC presidency in an increasingly complex world, Samaranch Junior responded: “Experience, perspective, judgement, and collaboration.”
Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe)
At 41, Kirsty Coventry could become not only the first female president of the IOC but also the first from Africa. A decorated Olympian, Coventry won seven swimming medals, including two golds, earning the nickname “Golden Girl” from former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe in 2008.
Since retiring in 2016, she has forged a successful career in sports administration, serving as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Sport since 2019. An IOC member since 2013, she has chaired the IOC Athletes’ Commission and joined the IOC Executive Board in 2018. She currently leads the Coordination Commission for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
Coventry has faced criticism for her role in the Zimbabwean government, whose 2023 election was widely regarded as neither “free nor fair.” Defending her decision, she stated: “I have taken it upon myself to change a lot of policies within my country and how things are done.”
Prince Feisal Al-Hussein (Jordan)
Prince Feisal, younger brother of Jordan’s King Abdullah II, is bidding to become the first Asian president of the IOC. The 61-year-old established Generations For Peace in 2007, a non-profit organisation that promotes peace-building initiatives through sports programmes.
Morinari Watanabe (Japan)
Already a trailblazer as the first Asian president of the International Gymnastics Federation, Morinari Watanabe, 66, has put forward a radical vision for the Olympics. The son of a Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor, he has proposed hosting the Games simultaneously across five cities on five continents to reduce costs and promote global unity.
Johan Eliasch (Sweden/Great Britain)
A Swedish-born billionaire businessman and environmental advocate, Johan Eliasch has been president of the International Ski Federation since 2021. Despite having only become an IOC member in July, he argues that his diverse skill set makes him an ideal leader.
“I have advised governments on environmental protection and climate change, been deeply involved in technology, and run a major company,” he told AFP. “I also lead the biggest winter sports federation, which provides 55 percent of all Winter Games events. If they are looking for someone with experience and expertise, I am the right candidate.”
Background & Context:
The upcoming IOC election will be crucial in shaping the future of the Olympic Movement, particularly amid ongoing debates about athlete representation, gender equality, sustainability, and geopolitical tensions. The new president will have to navigate the increasing commercialisation of the Games, the inclusion of new sports, and the role of technology in enhancing global participation. Additionally, the challenges posed by climate change and the political complexities of hosting mega-events will be key considerations for the new leader.
Whoever wins will oversee the preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and beyond, setting the strategic direction for the world’s most prestigious sporting institution.