The race for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidency in 2024 kicked into high gear as the seven candidates vying to succeed Thomas Bach recently published their manifestos, offering a glimpse into their visions for the future of the Olympic movement.
Sebastian Coe’s Unconventional Proposal
In a surprising move, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe pledged to serve only half of the standard eight-year term if elected, aiming to “embed transformative change” within four years before seeking reelection in 2029. This unorthodox approach could shake up the IOC’s longstanding leadership traditions.
Empowering IOC Members
Several candidates, including Coe and IOC executive board members Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. and Prince Feisal al Hussein, emphasized their commitment to giving IOC members a more influential role in key decisions, such as selecting Olympic host cities. Under Thomas Bach’s hands-on presidency, members have been largely relegated to rubber-stamping a single candidate chosen by the IOC administration.
Members must be invited to join the exclusive IOC club, and the current 111 include European and Middle East royalty, leaders of international sports bodies, former and current Olympic athletes, politicians, diplomats, industrialists, and an Oscar-winning actress.
Raising the Retirement Age
In a bid to retain experienced members, Coe, Samaranch Jr., and Prince Feisal al Hussein also proposed raising the retirement age for IOC members from 70 to 75 years. This move could significantly impact the composition and dynamics of the IOC in the coming years.
The Contenders
The other presidential hopefuls include:
- Kirsty Coventry, IOC executive board member and Zimbabwe’s sports minister
- Johan Eliasch, president of the International Ski Federation
- David Lappartient, president of the International Cycling Union
- Morinari Watanabe, president of the International Gymnastics Federation
Coventry, a two-time Olympic swimming champion, is the second woman ever to run for the IOC presidency and is widely perceived as Bach’s preferred successor to maintain continuity in IOC policies.
Athlete Empowerment and Engagement
Recognizing the importance of athlete welfare, candidates put forth various proposals to better support and engage Olympians:
- Coe committed World Athletics to paying prize money to medalists, a move that upset the IOC establishment
- Prince Feisal called for athletes to be “properly valued”
- Samaranch proposed allowing athletes to use footage of their performances on social media, relaxing strict IOC rules on self-promotion
Challenges Ahead
The incoming IOC president will face a myriad of challenges, including:
- Selecting a host for the 2036 Olympics, with India and Qatar as potential contenders
- Addressing the impact of climate change on the global sports calendar
- Tackling gender issues in sports
- Navigating Russia’s reintegration into the Olympic Games
- Negotiating a new U.S. broadcast deal to secure long-term financial stability
As the election draws near, the Olympic world eagerly awaits the outcome of this pivotal vote, which will shape the direction of the IOC and the Olympic movement for years to come. The manifestos provide valuable insights into each candidate’s priorities and vision, setting the stage for a competitive and consequential election in March 2024.
