The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has published the list of official candidates to succeed the current president, German Thomas Bach, who will step down after completing his 2025 term and after 12 years of successful leadership. The elections for the IOC presidency will be held next March and have generated great expectation, with a list of high-profile names that from now on embark on a democratic struggle. HRH Prince Feisal AL HUSSEIN, Lord Sebastian COE, Mrs Kirsty COVENTRY, Mr Johan ELIASCH, Mr David LAPPARTIENT, Mr Juan Antonio SAMARANCH and Mr Morinari WATANABE, each with unique visions for the future of the Olympic movement, are the candidates officially announced their candidacies by the deadline of midnight on 15 September 2024.

The candidates will present their programmes, in camera, to the full IOC membership on the occasion of a meeting to be held in Lausanne (Switzerland) in January 2025.

CHALLENGE FOR THE CANDIDATES

The new president will face a number of major challenges, including the rising costs of hosting the Olympic Games, increasing pressure for sustainability, and the need to make the Games more accessible and relevant to new generations. Candidates will need to show their ability to adapt to these changes and lead the IOC at a critical time for world sport.

THE ELECTION PROCESS

The electoral process within the IOC is rigorous. Candidates must obtain the support of a majority of the 103 IOC members, which requires careful negotiation and alliance building. The election will be held in March 2025, and Bach’s successor is expected to take office before the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, the first major media stage where they will speak to the entire world of sport.