IOC President Thomas Bach Defends Term Limits Amid Calls to Stay for Four More Years
Bach Says Term Limits are Necessary, Despite Calls to Scrap Them
One day after some Olympic officials urged him to scrap term limits and stay for four more years, IOC president Thomas Bach said Monday they “are necessary.” The German lawyer also took a public swipe at potential successor Sebastian Coe because some colleagues think he is campaigning too early.
The Proposal to Remain as President Heaped Negative Headlines on the International Olympic Committee
The proposal on Sunday to remain as president, which Bach declined to dismiss, heaped negative headlines on the International Olympic Committee. It made the Olympic body seem ready to override a key anti-corruption reform passed following the Salt Lake City bid scandal 25 years ago.
Bach’s Supporters Opposed to Coe’s Campaigning
Bach, whose 12-year presidential term ends in 2025, also said Monday his supporters were opposed to any campaigning by one potential candidate — Coe, the president of track body World Athletics and a two-time Olympic champion runner.
“A number of these colleagues think and feel that an election campaign so early before the election would be disrupting the preparations for the Olympic Games Paris, which are so important for the entire Olympic movement,” Bach said of the presidential vote set for March 2025.
Coe’s Potential Run for IOC Presidency
Coe, who won back-to-back gold medals in the 1,500 meters, has said this year he is not ruling out a run for the IOC presidency. That was an untypical statement of intent in the discreet world of Olympic politics.
Bach’s Response to Supporters’ Desire to Stop Coe
When Bach was asked Monday if his supporters wanted to stop Coe, he replied: “I leave that up to you.”
Bach’s Future Plans
He also declined to specify if he might yet be a candidate himself in 2025.
Bach’s Background and Leadership
Bach was a long-time favorite to become president before he was elected by IOC members in September 2013 in a six-candidate contest. IOC presidents get a first term of eight years and he was re-elected unopposed in 2021 for a final four years.
African and Latin American IOC Members Praise Bach’s Leadership
IOC members from Africa and Latin America used the organization’s annual meeting Sunday in Mumbai, India, to praise Bach’s leadership during global crises. They urged him to change its rulebook to permit a third term.
Bach’s Commitment to the Olympic Charter
“They all wanted to express their recognition for the work having been accomplished by the IOC in the last 10 years,” Bach said.
“I have also yesterday made it clear how loyal I am to the Olympic Charter,” he said, referring to the rules and principles that guide global sports, “and having been a co-author of the Olympic Charter, also speak for the fact that I’m thinking term limits are making a lot of sense and are necessary.”
Speculation on Bach’s Successor
Speculation on who could succeed Bach has included two of the IOC’s four vice presidents, Nicole Hoevertsz of Aruba and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. of Spain. Zimbabwe sports minister Kirsty Coventry is also a possibility. The former Olympic swimmer is seen as a protege of Bach and was elected Monday to return to the 15-member IOC executive board through 2027.
Conclusion
In conclusion, IOC president Thomas Bach has defended term limits amid calls to stay for four more years. Bach’s supporters are opposed to any campaigning by potential candidate Sebastian Coe, and Bach himself has declined to specify if he might yet be a candidate in 2025. The IOC will continue to navigate the complexities of Olympic politics as it prepares for the 2024 Games in Paris.
FAQs
Q: Why are term limits necessary in the IOC?
A: According to IOC president Thomas Bach, term limits are necessary to maintain the integrity and transparency of the organization.
Q: Who is Sebastian Coe, and why is he a potential candidate for IOC president?
A: Sebastian Coe is the president of track body World Athletics and a two-time Olympic champion runner. He has said he is not ruling out a run for the IOC presidency, making him a potential candidate.
Q: Who are the other potential candidates for IOC president?
A: Speculation on who could succeed Bach has included two of the IOC’s four vice presidents, Nicole Hoevertsz of Aruba and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. of Spain. Zimbabwe sports minister Kirsty Coventry is also a possibility.
Q: What is the significance of the 2024 Games in Paris?
A: The 2024 Games in Paris are significant because they will be the first Olympic Games to be held in France since 1924. The Games will also be a major test for the IOC as it prepares for the future of the Olympic movement.