LAUSANNE, Switzerland — In a secretive gathering, seven hopefuls vying for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee presented their cases on Thursday to around 100 voters, marking a significant moment in what is considered one of the most enigmatic elections in the sports world.
This was the only formal campaign gathering prior to the electoral vote that will take place on March 20 in Greece. Each candidate was allowed a mere 15 minutes to address IOC members, which includes royalty, past government leaders, sports officials, and former athletes.
The event was not streamed online, and attendees were prohibited from bringing mobile phones or any electronic devices into the venue. Additionally, there was no opportunity for the audience to engage in a question-and-answer session with the candidates, all of whom are competing for a position that holds considerable influence in both sports and global affairs.
The unique process, designed by the IOC, is meant to determine its first contested presidential election in a decade, following the tenure of Thomas Bach, who has now reached the maximum of 12 years in the role. “If I were president, I would be a bit more adaptable,” stated Jordan’s Prince Feisal al Hussein during a brief media conference allowed for each candidate at IOC headquarters. He emphasized the public’s right to be informed about the individuals seeking leadership.
Among the candidates are two Olympic gold medalists, Sebastian Coe and Kirsty Coventry, alongside Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., son of a former IOC president. Four candidates hold positions as presidents of Olympic sport federations: Johan Eliasch for skiing, David Lappartient for cycling, and Morinari Watanabe for gymnastics. Coe, who organized the London 2012 Olympics and currently leads World Athletics, is widely considered the most qualified contestant for the presidency.
Three candidates, including Samaranch, Prince Feisal, and Coventry, are part of the IOC’s executive board, chaired by Bach. Coventry, who serves as Zimbabwe’s sports minister, would mark a historic achievement as the first woman to lead the Olympic movement in its 130-year history. She is often perceived as Bach’s favored choice. “I believe he is being equitable to all of us,” Coventry responded when questioned about this perception, adding that she does not feel he is actively campaigning on her behalf.
Bach is expected to refrain from voting along with the current gathering of IOC members, which stands at 110 and includes a variety of influential individuals such as diplomats and actress Michelle Yeoh. The atmosphere among IOC members remains unclear, although Samaranch expressed satisfaction with his presentation, calling it “an impossible question” when it comes to comparing his performance against that of his rivals.
The winner of the election will officially take office in June, following a three-month transitional phase with Bach, whose management style has been described as highly detailed and controlling. “The desire for change is stronger than I anticipated,” noted Coe this week, adding that both he and Samaranch aim to restore decision-making authority to members, particularly in selecting future Olympic host cities.
The new IOC president will have an essential diplomatic function in engaging with the U.S. government, particularly as preparations are made for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Key challenges facing the next president include addressing climate change’s effects on the sporting calendar, tackling gender issues in athletics, the reintegration of Russia into the Olympic framework, and negotiating a new broadcasting agreement with U.S. networks, with NBC’s current contract set to expire after the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. This broadcasting partnership has historically been a critical source of Olympic revenue, bringing in $7.6 billion for the 2021-2024 Olympic cycle.
Additionally, IOC members are currently evaluating potential hosts for the 2036 Olympics, with India and Qatar emerging as candidates, which may require a shift from the traditional July-August timeframe for the Summer Games. One noteworthy proposition comes from Watanabe, who advocates for a future model of Summer Games that would consist of a continuous 24-hour broadcast involving ten different sports across five different countries, representing each continent.
“In my view, many individuals are seeking a revolution,” stated Watanabe, who appears to be an outsider in this election. “There is a strong demand for innovation.” Coe also put forth ideas aimed at benefiting athletes, including extending monetary rewards for Olympic medalists in track and field, while Samaranch pushed for more leniency in broadcasting rights, allowing athletes to share videos of their own performances on social media platforms.
