The IOC has released the presidential candidature documents for all seven individuals who are running for election on 19 December. Each candidate has presented their proposals and points of discussion in an effort to distinguish themselves from the others. The candidates will have the opportunity to present their plans to the full membership of the IOC in January 2025, followed by an election at the 144th IOC Session in Greece from 18 to 21 March 2025 to determine the successor to Thomas Bach. Let’s take a look at some key quotes from each manifesto.
Here are the seven individuals competing to become the next IOC President.
Sebastian Coe Age: 68 Nationality: British Current role/s: President of World Athletics.
Some key quotes from Coe’s candidature document: “While the IOC is not a broken organization, it has the potential to be even better and change is needed. Power is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals and the decision-making processes are unbalanced. The members are not fully utilized. I believe there is a desire for change among the members.” “I have been preparing for this role my entire life as I have always been dedicated to sports. I am not concerned about upsetting current senior officials, my only interest is in improving the organization.” “Sport is the most powerful social worker in our communities. We need to engage more with governments to understand the impact of this – it is our core business.” “I am confident in the measures we have taken in athletics to protect the female category. Without clear policies, we risk encountering issues like what happened in Paris in boxing.” “I am excited and ready to take on this job, it would be the honour of my life. I have experience in reforming athletics.”
David Lappartient Age: 51 Nationality: French Current role/s: President of Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee.
Some key quotes from Lappartient’s candidature document: “Commissions: I propose reducing the number of commissions and members in each commission to increase efficiency.” “Gender parity: Women make up 41% of our membership… I propose setting a goal to achieve equal representation among members by 2036.” “I suggest increasing the number of IOC members, with representation from each continent, to make our scope more universal.” “Doping: We need to continue innovating in the fight against doping and allocate more resources as the current funds are inadequate.” “In our efforts to be present in all regions of the world, I hope to see an Olympic Games take place in Africa in the future.” “We should establish clear criteria for adding new sports to the Olympic programme, including universality, quotas, and Olympic revenue, and consider adding new disciplines to existing sports.” “Esports: We should support the inclusion of esports in the Olympics and involve International Federations whenever possible. National Olympic Committees will also play a critical role in managing teams representing their countries.” “We must be mindful of building sports facilities in environmentally sensitive areas and take steps to minimize the impact of sporting events on biodiversity.” “We should also limit IOC spending to allocate more resources towards our goals and providing support to members of the Olympic Movement.” “I propose convening an Olympic Congress, in accordance with Rule 4, to engage in discussions with all stakeholders of sports. This would be the 14th Olympic Congress, with the most recent one being held in Copenhagen in 2009.”
Morinari Watanabe Age: 65 Nationality: Japanese Current role/s: President of the International Gymnastics Federation (IGF).
Some key quotes from Watanabe’s candidature document: “The Olympic Games have become increasingly difficult to host in most cities due to their size and impact on the economy and environment. The Olympics are often seen as a way for powerful nations to demonstrate their political influence, which has negatively affected the perception of the Games. We need to re-evaluate the current model of the Olympics, which originated in the 18th century when technology and means of transportation were limited.” “I propose hosting the Olympic Games in five cities from the five continents at the same time.” “As the Olympics expand to five continents and are broadcast and streamed 24 hours a day, the reach of our Worldwide Partners and Rightsholders will increase. I believe we should work with them to capitalize on this growth. We should establish a ‘win-win’ marketing system to generate more revenue.” “I suggest extending the term of office for the IOC President to a maximum of 12 years, instead of eight.” “As the President of the International Gymnastics Federation, I have visited over 160 countries and have had the opportunity to meet with athletes, coaches, and officials from various nations. I believe it is my responsibility to listen to everyone and help make their dreams a reality.”
Kirsty Coventry, aged 41 and from Zimbabwe, currently serves as Zimbabwe’s Minister for Sports, Art and Recreation.
In her candidature document, she stated her desire to give back to the Movement that has greatly influenced her and allowed her to become the person she is today. As guardians of this movement, she believes that it is our responsibility to protect and build upon the legacy of our predecessors and ensure that athletes remain at the core of our work as we strive to deliver the best sporting event in the world. Her mission is guided by the Ubuntu philosophy, which highlights the collective strength of the Olympic community and our duty to uplift one another. This philosophy also emphasises the close partnership we share with the International Paralympic Committee. Together, these events serve as a symbol of hope, inspiration and human progress with endless possibilities. Kirsty’s focus is on empowering and engaging individuals, as well as ensuring the continued relevance of the Olympic Movement.
Prince Feisal Al Hussein, aged 61 and from Jordan, currently holds the positions of President of the Jordan Olympic Committee and Chairman of Jordan Motorsport Council of Asia.
In his candidature document, he suggested that the changing climate calls for a review of the sporting calendar in order to allow more cities to bid for the Olympic Games. He also believes in maximising the revenue share for International Federations (IFs) and National Olympic Committees (NOCs). Regarding esports, he emphasised the importance of working together rather than against each other and sees the Olympic Esports Games as a step in the right direction. He also intends to engage with the youth on a daily basis, beyond the Olympic Games, throughout the four-year cycle. Prince Feisal believes in harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the enjoyment of sports and create a level playing field for all. He believes that effective leadership stems from listening, building trust and utilising the collective wisdom of the team, based on his experience in the military and with the National Policy Council.
Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., aged 65 and from Spain, currently serves as the CEO and founding partner of GBS Finance S.A., Vice-President of the International Modern Pentathlon Union and IOC Vice-President.
He believes that athletes are the heartbeat of the Olympic Movement and that IOC Members are its guardians and trustees. He stated the need for Members to have a stronger voice in shaping the future of the Movement and suggested revisiting the age limit and extending the retirement age to 75 to ensure that the benefits of experience and knowledge are not lost arbitrarily. He also proposed a comprehensive operational review to evaluate all IOC programs and focus on streamlining processes, modernising technology, optimising resources and measuring performance. Juan sees the Members as the decision-makers for selecting host cities and believes in remaining flexible and open to adjusting the calendar to make hosting the Games more accessible for all regions, taking into consideration the changing climate and commitment to universality. He also mentioned the need to review the geographical spread of Games venues, which should be based on legacy issues and operational realities rather than political motives. Juan believes in protecting women in sports and emphasised the IOC’s duty to maintain a clear distinction between men’s and women’s categories. He also sees the need to engage with global leaders to uphold the political independence of the Olympic Movement. Furthermore, he suggested conducting a review of the Media agreements to ensure maximum reach and promotional opportunities for the Olympic brand. Based on his banking experience, he proposed establishing a $1 billion investment fund in which the IOC would contribute specialised knowledge and insights while investors provide the necessary capital, enabling the IOC to participate financially with minimal risk.
Johan Eliasch, aged 62 and of British-Swedish nationality, currently serves as the President of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).
In a world where the IOC is under close scrutiny, Johan believes that the organisation must be dynamic and businesslike. He stated that successful organisations with sustained success are built on strong foundations, including a focus on governance, clearly defined areas of responsibility, accountability and authority throughout the organisation, strategic thinking with clearly articulated objectives, a culture of collaboration, creativity and innovation, and succession planning. Johan believes that the IOC must follow suit. He also stressed the importance of staying ahead of the commercial curve and getting more for less in a world of rapidly changing technologies. He believes that in the coming years, the IOC must strike the right balance between sponsorship goals, television rights exploitation, digital strategies and new commercialisation models. In a world divided by politics, poverty and inequality, Johan believes that the IOC must unite around its core values and uphold the principle of political neutrality. He also emphasised the need to safeguard athletes from being used for political purposes. Johan sees the IOC as a leader in the issue of gender and eligibility, and believes in establishing a clear policy to ensure a fair and safe environment for all athletes, especially women. He also questioned the benefits of introducing prize money
