The International Association of Sports Press (AIPS) has announced a series of virtual meetings with the seven candidates vying to become the next president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The selection process to replace Thomas Bach has been marked by secrecy, with limited media access to key discussions, including those on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Restrictions have also been imposed on journalists covering the IOC’s March session in Greece, where the new president will be elected after Bach’s 12-year tenure.
The seven candidates, listed in the order drawn by the IOC, are:
- H.R.H. Prince Feisal Al Hussein
- David Lappartient
- Johan Eliasch
- Juan Antonio Samaranch
- Kirsty Coventry
- Lord Sebastian Coe
- Morinari Watanabe
In a breakthrough for media access, AIPS has arranged a series of Zoom meetings where each candidate will outline their vision for the future of the Olympic movement and take questions from international sports journalists.
These sessions, starting on 24 February, will be moderated by AIPS President Gianni Merlo, a veteran journalist who has covered 25 Olympic Games and more than 35 World and European Athletics Championships. The initiative is open to AIPS members and participants in the AIPS Young Reporters Programme, ensuring broad representation across global media.
A key objective is to promote a more inclusive and transparent debate, countering concerns over exclusivity and bias. By providing direct access to candidates, the initiative aims to support freedom of expression and ensure diverse perspectives are heard.
To reach a wider audience, the meetings will be translated live into English, French, Spanish, and Arabic. This linguistic accessibility will enable more journalists to participate fully, breaking down barriers to communication and fostering meaningful global engagement.
At a time when media access is increasingly restricted, this initiative represents a significant step towards greater transparency and democracy in sports journalism. It provides an unprecedented opportunity for journalists to engage directly with IOC candidates and offers the public deeper insights into the future leadership of the Olympic movement.
