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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach of Germany told the 142nd IOC Session on Saturday, 10 August, that he would not accept any extension of his term and would conclude his term in June 2025.
On Monday, 12 August, the IOC published regulations for the forthcoming election, to take place during the 143rd IOC Session at Olympia, Greece from 18-21 March 2024. The key passage:
“The IOC Members must declare their intention to be a candidate in a letter to the IOC President by no later than 15 September 2024.
“The candidature campaign will start on the date decided by the IOC Executive Board, that is to say on 16 September 2024.
“On 16 September 2024, the IOC will publish a press release to officially announce the names of the candidates running for the IOC presidency. This list will include information on each candidate’s IOC membership status, as well as any other positions held in the Olympic Movement.
“This text will be shared with all the candidates shortly ahead of publication.”
It’s on and we’ll know the candidates in less than a month.
The IOC’s directives focused specifically on the do’s and don’ts of campaigns, including:
● “The promotion of a candidature shall be conducted with dignity and moderation, and shall be done exclusively by the candidate.”
● “The promotion of a candidature for the IOC presidency shall exclude any form of advertisement (including but not limited to a paid advert in any type of media, regardless of the person/entity financing the advert).”
● “Any type of promotion undertaken by the candidate shall respect the other candidates and shall in no way be prejudicial to any other candidate, in particular by avoiding comparisons.”
● “The use of a communications agency shall be limited to the production of the Candidature Document.”
So, the goal is to limit the use of high-powered public relations firms in the sports trade, and there are more restrictions:
● Limits on visits: “The candidates shall limit the number of their personal trips related to the election campaign, in order to avoid excessive expenditure, which could be a factor of inequality amongst them.
“The candidates are encouraged to contact their fellow IOC Members via virtual means.”
“The cost of any such trips shall be at the candidate’s personal expense. The CECO must be notified of any trip planned in relation to the promotion of a candidature 10 days beforehand, so that it can be formally registered in advance.”
● Ban on public rallies: “No public meeting or gathering of any kind may be organised in the framework of promoting a candidature.”
This would also eliminate, for example, a luncheon or dinner given for IOC members under the guise of saluting the Olympic Council of Asia during an OCA Executive Board meeting (or any other confederation).
● Ban on funding: “No assistance, whether financial, material or in kind, be it direct or indirect, shall be given to candidates by an IOC Member or by any other person or entity.
“If such assistance is proposed, the candidate concerned has a duty to refuse it and to inform the CECO [IOC Ethics Commission].”
● Ban on gifts: “Candidates shall not, under any circumstances and under any pretext, give presents, offer donations or grant advantages of any nature or value to any IOC Member or any other person or entity.
“The candidates shall not invite IOC Members to any event organised by their NOC or IF, any other person or entity, or the national embassies of their country. If such an invitation is received, the invited person has a duty to refuse it and to inform the CECO.”
● Ban on promises: “Candidates shall not make any promise or commit to any undertaking, whatever the timing of the action promised, for the direct or indirect benefit of an IOC Member, group of IOC Members, organisation, region or partner.
“Any such promise or undertaking would be perceived as an attempt to adversely affect the integrity of the institution.”
Further, no debates are allowed, but there will be a presentation to all IOC members, in Lausanne, between 20-24 January 2025.
So, it’s a pretty closed process. Who wins?
It’s too early for that, but there are some obvious candidates, starting with the individuals selected by Bach to head the more important IOC commissions:
● Coordination Comm./Beijing 2022: Juan A. Samaranch (ESP: elected 2001)
● Coordination Comm./Paris 2024: Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant (BEL: 2012)
● Coordination Comm./Milan Cortina 2026: Kristen Kloster (NOR: 2017)
● Coordination Comm./L.A. 2028: Nicole Hoevertsz (ARU: 2013)
● Coordination Comm./Brisbane 2032: Kirsty Coventry (ZIM: 2013)
● Esports Commission: David Lappartient (FRA: 2022)
● Future Host Comm./Summer: Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic (CRO: 2020)
● Future Host Comm./Winter: Karl Stoss (AUT: 2016)
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe (GBR) has publicly indicated his interest in the position, but will be swimming upstream, as only one IOC President has previously been an International Federation chief. But it was from athletics: Swede Sigfrid Edstrom, who was IOC head from 1942-52, selected in part because he was from a neutral country during World War II.
Not to be underestimated in a rising executive, Federation Equestre Internationale President Ingmar De Vos (BEL), elected to the IOC in 2017 and the incoming head of the important Association of Summer Olympic International Federations. He was the designated speaker to complain about the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act of 2019 at the pre-Paris Games portion of the IOC Session, a selection that did not go unnoticed.
There will be more who will consider the possibilities; we’ll know the field on 16 September.
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