This Thursday in Lausanne, at the home of the International Olympic Committee and within the 143rd IOC session, the seven candidates for the presidency of the organization presented their speeches and answered questions from the press. Below is a summary of the interventions of Jordanian Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Frenchman David Lappartient, Swedish-British Johan Eliasch, Spaniard Juan Antonio Samaranch, Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry, Briton Sebastian Coe and Japanese Morinari Watanabe:
Prince Feisal Al Hussein
The Jordanian prince emphasized the need to regain young people’s trust in global institutions, including the IOC: “We must be more transparent and accessible so that the next generation sees Olympism as a platform for positive change.”
Regarding the United States’ loss of confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), he responded: “It is not my place to comment on U.S. policies, but WADA has done a great job in the fight against doping. We have seen a significant reduction in cases during the Olympic Games. Our duty is to continue supporting clean sport.”
David Lappartient
The Frenchman, president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), emphasized the importance of making the Olympic Games accessible to all continents: “The IOC is a global organization, and we must ensure that Olympism spreads to all regions of the world.”
On the possibility of Africa hosting an Olympic Games in the future, he stated: “The IOC is present on all five continents, but so far, Africa has never had the opportunity to host the Games. It is a matter of equity and sports development.”
Regarding the challenges facing the IOC, he stressed: “We face issues such as climate change, digitalization, and political stability. But in every challenge, there is an opportunity to strengthen the Olympic movement.”
Johan Eliasch
The Swedish-British, current president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, focused his speech on sustainability and the need to maintain the magic of the Olympic Games amid competition from other sporting events.
“The IOC must continue to lead in sustainability. Sport plays a crucial role in the fight against climate change, and we must ensure that our events set an example in this area.”
He also highlighted the importance of modernizing the IOC’s commercial strategy: “We need to guarantee our long-term viability and enhance our appeal to sponsors.”
Juan Antonio Samaranch
Samaranch began his speech by expressing his condolences for the plane crash in the United States: “What we are doing here today in Lausanne is very important, but in the face of the loss of human lives, whether they are athletes or not, members of the Olympic family or not, all of this takes on a different perspective.”
He highlighted his experience of more than 25 years in various roles within the IOC and in the financial sector: “We are an organization with a huge global responsibility. We need to combine an efficient structure with a strong business vision to ensure the future of Olympism.”
Regarding the reinstatement of Russian athletes, he stated: “Any decision must be aligned with the Olympic Charter. As president, my responsibility will be to enforce its fundamental principles.” He also advocated for strengthening the IOC’s independence from political interference: “Our autonomy is non-negotiable. The essence of Olympism is its political neutrality.”
Kirsty Coventry
The Zimbabwean candidate and former Olympic swimmer shared her personal experience: “My Olympic dream started when I was nine years old, watching the Barcelona 92 Games. I never imagined that one day I would be here, aspiring to lead the movement.”
“Olympism has the power to transform societies. I have seen firsthand how it can unite a nation,” she stated, recalling her experience in Zimbabwe after winning the gold medal in Athens 2004.
She spoke about the need to invest more in athletes before they reach the elite: “We need to find ways to support athletes before they become Olympians. It is the most difficult period of their careers and the one where they need the most support.”
On gender equality, she emphasized: “I want to be the best candidate, not just the best female candidate. Diversity is key, but we must be judged on our ability and commitment.”
Sebastian Coe
The Briton and current president of World Athletics recalled his career in Olympism from his youth and how he has worked to modernize athletics worldwide: “I have been in the world of sports all my life. I know what Olympism means and the responsibility that comes with leading it.”
“The IOC’s biggest challenge is to connect with new generations. We must innovate in the way we broadcast the Games and leverage digital technology to engage young people.”
Regarding IOC funding, he emphasized: “The sponsorship model must evolve. We need to find new revenue opportunities without compromising the essence of Olympism.”
Morinari Watanabe
The Japanese candidate, president of the International Gymnastics Federation, presented an innovative proposal for organizing the Olympic Games across multiple locations on five continents: “Olympism must evolve. Imagine Games that last 24 hours, where the whole world can participate and follow them in real-time from different locations.”
He also proposed transforming the IOC into a “World Sports Organization”: “We cannot limit ourselves to organizing the Games every four years. Olympism must be present in people’s lives every day, fostering initiatives in health and education through sports.”
THE SUCCESSION OF THOMAS BACH
The seven candidates presented diverse visions for the future of the IOC, emphasizing transparency, technological modernization, sustainability, and political independence. The election of Thomas Bach’s successor will take place in March 2025, and the winner will face the challenge of maintaining the relevance of Olympism in an ever-changing world.
