In the vibrant city of Lausanne, Switzerland, a monumental event unfolded on Thursday as seven prestigious candidates aspiring to lead the International Olympic Committee (IOC) delivered their pivotal proposals. This event, cloaked in secrecy, provided a unique opportunity for these contenders to make their case to an elite assembly of over 100 voters.
This closed-door session, which precedes the March 20 election in Greece, granted each candidate a 15-minute window to present their vision. Interestingly, the event maintained an air of confidentiality with no broadcasting of the speeches. Even members of the IOC, themselves potential candidates, were restricted from posing questions to their colleagues vying for perhaps the most significant role in global sports.
The current election setting is notably opaque, marking the first contested IOC presidential election since 2013. Candidates are contesting to fill the shoes of Thomas Bach, whose 12-year tenure as president will conclude shortly. The line-up boasts an array of distinguished individuals, including two Olympic gold medalists, Sebastian Coe and Kirsty Coventry. Alongside them are Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., the progeny of a former IOC president, and Prince Feisal al Hussein, a notable royal figure from Jordan.
Among the candidate's ranks are leaders of Olympic sports organizations: Johan Eliasch from skiing, David Lappartient from cycling, and Morinari Watanabe from gymnastics. Sebastian Coe is seen as a formidable contender due to his leadership in track and field's World Athletics and the successful organization of the 2012 London Olympics.
This exclusive assembly of 110 IOC members, a diverse mix drawn from realms as varied as global sports leadership, diplomacy, industry, and even the arts, make up the voter base. This illustrious group includes royalty such as the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the renowned Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh.
The winning candidate on March 20 will not officially assume the role until June, following a three-month handover period. Critical challenges await the incoming president, including navigating diplomatic relationships with the U.S. and President Joe Biden's administration leading up to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Further, the new leader will need to tackle pressing issues such as the impact of climate change on sporting events, gender equality in sports, and the potential reintegration of Russia into the Olympic fold. The future holds another significant task: negotiating a new broadcasting agreement, with the current one with NBC expiring after the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. This deal has been a cornerstone of the IOC's revenue, amounting to $7.6 billion during the 2021-24 cycle.
Finally, deciding the host city for the 2036 Olympics poses a considerable challenge. With strong contenders like India and Qatar, the IOC may consider unprecedented scheduling changes, possibly moving the Summer Games from its traditional July-August timeframe.