The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has set January 30 as the date for the key meeting of the presidential election, during which seven candidates will meet voters before their vote in March.
This closed-door meeting at IOC headquarters is the only campaign event held in arguably the most low-key and secretive election in world sport. IOC regulations prohibit candidates from posting videos, organizing public meetings or participating in public debates.
“This closed-door meeting will give IOC members the opportunity to hear the seven candidates talk about their programs”declared the Olympic body in a press release on Thursday.
Among the candidates to replace the outgoing IOC president, Thomas Bachinclude three members of the executive commission that he chairs: the vice-president Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. (Spain), the prince Feisal al Hussein (Jordan) and Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe).
The other four are presidents of Olympic sports governing bodies: the British Sebastian Coe for athletics, the French David Lappartient for cycling, Japanese Morinari Watanabe for gymnastics and Swedish Johan Eliasch for skiing.
The vote of around 100 of their fellow IOC members – including royals from Europe and the Middle East, sports officials, former and current Olympic athletes, politicians and industrialists billionaires – will take place at a meeting to be held March 18-21 near ancient Olympia, Greece.
Mr. Bach reached the statutory limit of 12 years in office and confirmed in August, during the Paris Olympicsthat he would leave his post. His departure is scheduled for June, after a three-month transition period with his successor.
He has long been seen as favorable to Kirsty Coventry, Minister for Sports of the Zimbabwewho would be the first female president in the 130-year history of the IOC and the first from Africa. Double Olympic gold medalist in swimming, Kirsty Coventry was, to everyone’s surprise, the only woman to apply.
The position of IOC President ideally requires in-depth knowledge of sports management, an understanding of the needs of athletes and skills in global politics.
Among the key questions facing the next IOC leader is the choice of host of the 2036 Olympic Games (India and Qatar are in the running), assessing the impact of climate change on the global sports calendar and the Winter Games, gender equality issues and renewal of broadcast agreement with the United States, which constitutes one of the foundations of Olympic finances.
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