(News in progress). The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has published on Thursday the manifestos of the seven candidates aspiring to succeed Thomas Bach as president in March. These documents detail their visions for the future of Olympism, the challenges facing the Olympic movement and proposed strategies to strengthen the values of global sport. Below are highlights from three of the most relevant candidates, while the manifestos of the remaining four will be updated soon.

[These are the documents and candidacies from the official IOC website].

SEBASTIAN COE: CHANGES FOR A MORE EFFICIENT IOC

Presentation: president of World Athletics, organizer of the London 2012 Olympic Games, former member of the British Parliament, IOC member since 2020, double Olympic gold medalist in 1500 meters.

In his manifesto, Sebastian Coe focuses on the need to reform the IOC to make it more inclusive and efficient:

• “The IOC is not a broken organization, but it can be much better. It needs change. There is too much power in the hands of too few people, and the decision-making processes are unbalanced.”
• Coe proposes decentralizing power, drawing on the talent of IOC members: “There is no shortage of talent in the IOC, and I want to tap into that enormous experience.”
• He also stresses his experience in athletics reform and his commitment to Olympic values: “This is a job I know I can do and I’m excited about. I have dedicated my whole life to sport, and leading the IOC would be the greatest honor of my life.”

Coe emphasizes the importance of sport as a social tool: “Sport is the most powerful social worker in all our communities. We must engage more with governments so they understand what sport is all about.”

Sebastian Coe’s full Manifesto.

HRH PRINCE FEISAL AL HUSSEIN: TECHNOLOGY AND YOUTH

Presentation: president of the Jordan Olympic Committee, member of the Executive Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia, IOC member since 2010.

HRH Prince Feisal focuses on modernizing Olympism through technology, innovation and a focus on youth:

• He proposes revising the sports calendar due to climate change: “We must reconsider when and where the Olympic Games are held to allow more cities to bid to host.”
• On esports, he argues that they should be integrated into the Olympic movement: “We must collaborate, not compete, with this genre of sport”.
• He highlights the potential of artificial intelligence to improve sport: “If used properly, AI can level the playing field and improve the sporting experience for everyone.”
• He proposes engaging youth beyond the Olympic period: “We must engage youth on a daily basis throughout the Olympic cycle.”

Feisal also stresses that effective leadership is based on trust and collective wisdom: “Leadership is not about imposing ideas, but about listening and building trust.”

HRH Prince Feisal’s full manifesto.

JUAN ANTONIO SAMARANCH JR.: LEGACY AND VISION

Presentation: IOC Vice-President, member of the Spanish Olympic Committee since 1989, CEO and founder of GBS Finance, son of former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch.

Samaranch’s manifesto focuses on strengthening the voice of IOC members and ensuring the sustainability of the Olympic Movement:

• “Athletes are the heart of the Olympic Movement, and IOC members must be its guardians.”
• He proposes extending the retirement age of IOC members to 75 years and conducting a complete operational review of IOC programs to optimize resources and measure impact.
• On the choice of Olympic venues, he stresses the need for flexibility to adapt to climate change and the universality of the movement.
• He also advocates protecting women’s sport, establishing clear policies to maintain gender categories.
  In financial terms, he suggests creating a $1 billion investment fund to ensure the IOC’s sustainability: “We can offer expertise while investors provide capital, minimizing risks.”

Samaranch also emphasizes the importance of the IOC’s political independence: “We must continue to work with global leaders to ensure that the Olympic Movement maintains its political neutrality”.