Newly implemented election regulations by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) could potentially disqualify World Athletics President Sebastian Coe from vying for the IOC presidency in the upcoming elections scheduled for March next year. According to reports from The Associated Press, these regulations were clarified in communications from the IOC Ethics Commission to its 111 members, just days before the deadline for declaring candidacies to succeed current IOC President Thomas Bach.
The central issue facing Coe, who is 67 years old, relates to the requirement that any candidate for the IOC presidency must be an active IOC member on election day and throughout their entire term as president. Currently, Coe’s IOC membership is tied to his role at World Athletics, a position he must vacate in 2027 after serving the maximum allowable 12 years. This situation complicates his eligibility, as he would not be able to fulfill a full term as IOC president under these rules.
The IOC’s regulations also impose an age limit of 70 years for serving in its top position. This stipulation poses additional challenges not only for Coe but also for another potential candidate, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. The age restriction may prevent Samaranch Jr., who is approaching the age limit, from completing a full presidential term if elected.
Further complicating Coe’s bid is the potential conflict of interest highlighted by the IOC Ethics Commission, which expressed concerns about holding dual leadership roles. Specifically, Coe’s current position as the head of World Athletics could conflict with the responsibilities of an IOC president. The Ethics Commission, chaired by Ban Ki-moon, underscored that “the president is an IOC member under the same conditions as all the other members,” emphasizing the necessity for complete commitment to the IOC role without conflicting interests.
The IOC is set to convene its 143rd session in Athens, Greece, from March 18th to 21st next year, during which the election for the next president will take place. This session will also see the selection of the host city for the 5th Winter Youth Olympic Games. The election of the 10th president will be significant as it will mark a transition from Thomas Bach, who has confirmed his intention to step down in 2025 after serving his full 12-year term as IOC president.
In addition to Coe and Samaranch Jr., other notable potential candidates for the IOC presidency include Kirsty Coventry, an IOC Executive Board member and former Olympian from Zimbabwe; David Lappartient, the president of the International Cycling Union; Prince Feisal al-Hussein of Jordan, who has been a long-standing IOC member; and Nicole Hoevertsz, a former Olympic synchronized swimmer from Aruba and current IOC Executive Board member.
Since its founding in 1894, the IOC has had nine presidents, none of whom have hailed from Latin America, Africa, or Asia. This historical precedent adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming election, as candidates from these regions could represent a shift in the IOC’s leadership dynamics.
With the election deadline fast approaching, the IOC’s newly clarified rules have thrown a spotlight on the complexities surrounding eligibility and the intricate balance of governance within the Olympic movement. As the race to succeed Thomas Bach heats up, these regulations will play a critical role in shaping the field of candidates and, ultimately, the future leadership of the IOC.
The outcome of this election will be pivotal, not just in terms of who leads the IOC but also in how the organization navigates its evolving governance standards amid increasing scrutiny and the need for global representation in its highest ranks.
