The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is gearing up for a historic leadership shift as President Thomas Bach confirmed he will step down in 2025, ending his 12-year tenure. 🏛️ The announcement came during the Paris 2024 Summer Games, where Bach emphasized the need for fresh leadership to tackle the 'increasingly digital and politically pressured world.' 🌍
Bach, 70, ruled out extending his term despite members urging him to revise term-limit rules. 'Governance must be respected to safeguard IOC credibility,' he declared, holding back tears during his speech. His exit aligns with reforms introduced after the Salt Lake City scandal in the 1990s.
Who’s next? Potential candidates include: ✅ Nicole Hoevertsz (IOC Vice President from Aruba) ✅ Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. (Spain; son of a former IOC president) ✅ Sebastian Coe (World Athletics president and Olympic legend 🏃♂️)
Notably, the IOC has never had a female president in its 130-year history—a fact that could change next year. The election will take place in March 2025 in Greece. 🇬🇷
Bach’s legacy includes navigating controversies like Russia’s doping saga and expanding the Olympics’ global footprint. But as he said: 'New times call for new leaders.' ⏳
