Seven candidates have been nominated for the post of IOC president, the organization’s press service reported.
Among them was the director of the International Association of Athletics Federations (World Athletics). Sebastian CoePresident of the International Gymnastics Federation Morinari Watanabehead of the International Cycling Union David LapartianPresident of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation johan eliasIOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr.as well as members of the IOC Faisal Al-Hussein AND Kirsty Coventry.
Let us remember that in August the current head of the IOC Thomas Bachwho has headed the organisation since 2013, said he would not stand for re-election. Elections for the president of international Olympic sports will be held in March 2025.
The candidates will present their programmes to all IOC members behind closed doors at a meeting in Lausanne in January 2025. The official list of candidates will then be approved.
There were earlier reports of possible legal obstacles to the appointment of Coe and Samaranch to the post of IOC chief. The organisation has an age limit of 70 for its members: Coe will be 68 at the time of the election, Samaranch will be 66.
The rules allow for an exception that would allow membership to be extended for another four years, but the decision must be approved by IOC leaders.
The recent rules update also emphasizes that candidates must be IOC members “on election day and throughout their term as IOC President.” Coe’s IOC membership is contingent on his position at World Athletics, which he will leave in 2027 after 12 years of service.
Two-time Olympic biathlon champion Dmitry Vasiliev commented on the list of candidates for the post of IOC President:
“If we base ourselves on national and territorial characteristics, then the representative of Jordan [принц Фейсал аль-Хусейн] It would be the most preferable option for us. After all, people there are not so biased and opposed to Russia.
Sebastian Coe’s candidacy is the worst; if he is elected, Russia will have no place in the international Olympic movement for the next period. He will be even worse than Thomas Bach.
The Prince of Jordan (Faisal Al-Hussein) is independent and does not need money, it will be impossible to bribe him, he will defend the interests of athletes and will not pursue personal interests. In this case, he is the most preferable candidate.”
