In the wake of Thomas Bach’s decision to step down as president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), seven contenders have entered the race for what is arguably the most influential role in global sports.
This week, IOC members will convene in Pylos to elect their next leader. To secure victory, a candidate must garner approximately 100 votes. The election process will consist of seven rounds, with the contender receiving the fewest votes eliminated at the end of each round.
Bach’s 12-year tenure saw significant achievements, including securing a record-breaking $7.3 billion in media rights and sponsorships for the 2029–2032 cycle, according to Reuters. His departure leaves behind a legacy of financial stability but also pressing challenges for his successor.
The seven candidates in the race are International Cycling Union chief David Lappartient, IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, Olympic swimming champion and Zimbabwean sports minister Kirsty Coventry, Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, International Gymnastics Federation head Morinari Watanabe, and International Ski and Snowboard Federation President Johan Eliasch.
While no candidate holds a decisive advantage, Coe, Samaranch, and Coventry are rumored to be Bach’s preferred successors, potentially giving them an edge in the election.
The incoming president will face several urgent issues. The Olympic movement has yet to establish a definitive policy on transgender athletes, an issue made more pressing after former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent decision to bar them from competition last month. Additionally, with the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles approaching, fostering a productive relationship with Trump, should he return to office, has become a topic of discussion within the IOC.
Another major concern is the status of Russian athletes. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the country has been banned from the Games, though some athletes were permitted to compete as “neutrals” in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Whether this policy will continue or be revised is a decision the new president will have to make.
