International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach speaks at the opening ceremony of the organization's 144th session in Olympia, Greece, March 18, 2025. /VCG
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) opened its 144th Session in Olympia, site of the ancient Games, on Tuesday. The gathering will culminate with the election of a new IOC President on Thursday.
Outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach, in his speech at the Olympic Academy near the ancient stadium, made only a fleeting reference to Thursday's key vote, in which seven candidates will compete for world sport's most powerful and influential job.
The IOC is the world's wealthiest multi-sports organization, with revenues of about $7 billion per four-year cycle.
"This is a exactly what this Session is about. A sacred pilgrimage to our ancient past," Bach told an audience that included IOC members and Greece's President, Konstatinos Tasoulas.
"An homage to our modern origins and to our founder (Pierre de Coubertin). And a manifestation of our faith in the future, when we will elect a new president," said Bach, who is stepping down in June after 12 years in charge.
The candidates include International Cycling Union chief David Lappartient, IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., World Athletics head Sebastian Coe, Zimbabwe Sports Minister and former Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry, and Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan. Federation of International Gymnastics chief Morinari Watanabe and Federation of International Ski and Snowboard head Johan Eliasch complete the list of candidates.
While there is no clear frontrunner, as was the case in 2013 when then-favorite Bach swept to victory, Coe, Samaranch, and Coventry, long seen as the outgoing leader's preferred choice, are considered to have an edge over the other candidates.
Just over 100 IOC members, including federation chiefs, national Olympic committee presidents, royalty, and billionaires among others, will cast their votes on Thursday.
The new IOC President will be elected to an eight-year term, with the possibility of re-election to a second four-year term for a maximum of 12 years in total.