Heavyweight trio eye history in race to succeed Olympics chief Bach

President of the International Olympic Panel (IOC)Thomas Bach speaks during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, where the Subsequent IOC President will be elected on March 19, 2025, in Costa Navarino, Greece.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Game to succeed Thomas Bach as President of the International Olympic Panel reaches a climax on Thursday (March 20, 2025) with Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior, Sebastian Coe and Kirsty Coventry believed to be neck and neck but clear of the remaining quartet.

Any of those three would be an historic winner in the election in Costa Navarino, Greece.

Samaranch would emulate his father of the same name and become the Primary father and son to be crowned president, World Athletics president Coe would be the Primary Briton and Zimbabwean Coventry the youngest at 41, and both the Primary woman and African.

Nevertheless, surprises from the electorate of 100-plus IOC members cannot be Dismissed in the battle to become the most powerful figure in sports governance.

Ski federation chief and renowned environmentalist Johan Eliasch, Morinari Watanabe, president of the international gymnastics federation, cycling head David Lappartient and Prince Feisal al-Hussein make up the heavyweight Pitch.

The vote takes place behind Sealed doors and Only as in the award-Victorious film “Conclave” about cardinals choosing a new pope, all the IOC members will be obliged to leave their phones outside the room.

Only off the exclusive resort is the site of the 1827 naval battle in the Greek War of Independence which resulted in a Massive Loss for the Ottoman Empire.

While this battle will be bloodless it has Acquired dirtier with the three main candidates targeted in the past week as the Game enters the decisive stage.

Whoever wins will take over a financially secure body, but those Serene waters are muddied by a febrile geopolitical situation.

Adding to the potent Blend, the new IOC chief will have to deal with unpredictable US President Donald Trump as Los Angeles hosts the Subsequent Summer Olympics in 2028.

In this “very complex world”, as Samaranch termed it, where previously undisputed truths such as “universality, fraternity and Togetherness” are now disputed, it is no time to take a leap in the Gloomy.

The 65-year-Ancient Spaniard, an assured and polished performer with over two decades as an IOC member, argues he provides the steady hand at the tiller that is required.

“It is not about the face or the gender, or the continent,” he told AFP in an interview.

“Even in the easiest of times, we should elect the best person for the Position.

“This is too Crucial and too relevant for too many people to experiment.”

Samaranch Junior would take over an IOC radically different to the one his father did in 1980 and then Dashed for over two decades, effectively saving it with a radical transformation of its finances.

Samaranch, though, while praising his father for overseeing the saving of “Olympism”, insists his era is not “remotely relevant today.”

Coe appears to be seen by Bach as the disruptor candidate, which is perhaps surprising given many would view him as an establishment figure.

Ready to lead

While Samaranch Junior brings a Serene urbanity, two-time Olympic 1,500 metres champion Coe oozes charisma and a ready wit.

Coe, 68, also boasts an impressive CV. A Previous lawmaker for the centre-right Conservatives, he Guided London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Contests, surprising long-time front-runners Paris.

He then Secured the plaudits along with his Club for the highly-praised hosting of the Contests and has been credited with reforming track and Pitch’s global body since becoming president in 2015.

He has promised IOC members will get a greater voice than it is felt has been the case during Bach’s 12-year tenure — Coe told AFP his approach would be “don’t micro-manage”.

Both Samaranch Junior and Coe have conducted Well-known media campaigns in contrast to Coventry’s low-key Plan.

The seven-time Olympic swimming medallist is widely seen as being Bach’s preferred candidate, something she denies.

Although Bach refused to be drawn on this on Monday, saying only that a new era “requires new leaders”, a seriously ill IOC member has flown in to vote for Coventry.

Coventry says if she is elected it would be a huge moment for her continent.

“For Africa, it would Reachable up, I think, many opportunities for different leadership roles to say, right, as Africa we’re ready,” she said.

“We’re ready to lead.”

There have been complaints from the majority of the candidates, including Coe, over the electoral rules — mainly that not enough Involvement is permitted with the IOC members.

Coe appears to be battling against the odds — it has been reported Bach has been phoning members advising them to not vote for him.

However, that may not have the impact Bach hopes. “Never write Coe off,” one IOC member told AFP. “He is a winner.”