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≡ IOC PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ≡
The International Olympic Committee announced the order of presentations by the seven candidates for President for the 30 January 2025 private briefing to the IOC members. According to the statement:
“The draw was conducted by a Lausanne-based public notary on 25 November. The order, determined by the draw, will also be used consistently in all official documents subsequently. This process ensures fairness and transparency as the candidates outline their visions for the future of the IOC.
“The election for the IOC presidency will take place during the 144th IOC Session, which will be held from 18 to 21 March 2025 in Greece. The new President will succeed Thomas Bach, whose term ends in June 2025.
“The order as determined by the draw is:
“HRH Prince Feisal AL HUSSEIN
“Mr David LAPPARTIENT
“Mr Johan ELIASCH
“Mr Juan Antonio SAMARANCH
“Mrs Kirsty COVENTRY
“Lord Sebastian COE
“Mr Morinari WATANABE”
There is no obvious advantage to any candidate in this draw, although Coe’s placement near the end might be helpful. But there will also be six weeks between the presentations and the IOC Session.
Several of the candidates face age-qualification issues which could hamper their candidacies:
● Prince Feisal Al Hussein (JOR): 61, elected personally to the IOC in 2010, would reach the age limit of 70 in 2033, at the end of a first, eight-year term if elected.
● Sebastian Coe (GBR): 68, elected to the IOC in 2020, tied to his presidency of World Athletics. To be elected, his membership would have to be converted to individual status and he would reach age 70 in 2026, only a year into a first term, but could be extended to 2030, still three years short of a full, eight-year term. A change to the Olympic Charter would be needed to extend him further.
● Kirsty Coventry (ZIM): 41, elected to the IOC in 2013 as an athlete, personally in 2021. No age issues and by far the youngest candidate. If elected, she would be the first female head of the IOC.
● Johan Eliasch (GBR): 62, elected to the IOC in 2024, tied to his presidency of the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS). He will reach 70 in 2032 and could be extended to 2036, allowing him to serve a full first term (to 2033) and most of a second, four-year term. If elected, he would also have to be converted to an individual member.
● David Lappartient (FRA): 51, elected to the IOC in 2022, tied to his presidency of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). No age issues, but if elected, he would have to be voted in as an individual member.
● Juan Antonio Samaranch (ESP): 65, elected personally to the IOC in 2001. He will turn 70 in 2029, in the fourth year of an eight-year first term, but could be extended to 2033, completing a full first term.
● Morinari Watanabe (JPN): 65, elected to the IOC in 2018, as president of the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG). If elected, he would have to be converted to individual membership, and would need a four-year extension to complete a full first term in 2033.
Yes, there are early odds posted on the IOC race at an Antigua and Barbuda sportsbook, with Coe at 3/2, Samaranch at 4/1 and Lappartient at 5/1.
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