In his emotional year-end letter, Thomas Bach, outgoing president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), highlighted the achievements of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, calling them “the Games of a new era”. According to Bach, these were “the youngest, most urban, most inclusive and sustainable” ever organized, marking a milestone with full gender parity. The event managed to capture the attention of approximately 5 billion people worldwide, making it the most followed Olympic Games in history.

In addition, he highlighted the Games’ ability to unite athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees and the Refugee Olympic Team, despite global geopolitical tensions. “The athletes showed us what our world would look like if we lived under the Olympic spirit of peaceful coexistence,” Bach said.

INNOVATIVE IOC INITIATIVES

Bach also expressed optimism for the future of the Olympic movement, highlighting the growing interest in hosting the Olympic Games in 2036, 2040 and beyond. He also highlighted key projects such as the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and the arrival of the first Esports Olympic Games in Saudi Arabia.

The president emphasized the importance of technological innovation with initiatives such as the Olympic AI Agenda. “We are harnessing the opportunities of artificial intelligence in a responsible way, putting the athlete at the center of our agenda,” he said, ensuring that the benefits of these technologies will be available to the entire Olympic community, not just a privileged few.

GLOBAL SOLIDARITY AND SUSTAINABLE FINANCE

In a world marked by growing conflicts and inequalities, Bach stressed the crucial role of the Olympic movement as a driver of solidarity. “For us, there is no ‘global south’ or ‘global north.’ In our Olympic community, we are all equal,” he said. During the last Olympic cycle, the IOC distributed $6.8 billion to support athletes and sports federations around the world, and this figure is expected to increase in the coming period.

The Olympic Solidarity budget has also been increased by 10%, reaching $650 million. “For the IOC, money is not an end in itself, but a tool to mitigate the inequalities of this world,” explained Bach.

A FAREWELL FULL OF HOPE

In his final New Year’s message as IOC president, Bach expressed his gratitude to the Olympic community for its support and solidarity throughout his tenure. “Thank you for your friendship, which has sustained me even in the most difficult times,” he wrote. He also called on members of the Olympic movement to bring the same spirit of unity and commitment to his successor.

With a touch of nostalgia and optimism, Bach concluded with a call to keep alive the Olympic motto: “Faster, higher, stronger, together.”