The IOC will elect its new president on Thursday, a pivotal role with candidates including Kirsty Coventry and Juan Antonio Samaranch. Voting will begin at 4 p.m. local time, with results expected shortly after. The next president will guide the organization towards the 2028 Summer Olympics and select the 2036 host city, potentially a first for India or the Middle East.
COSTA NAVARINO, Greece (AP) — The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to elect its new president on Thursday, marking a significant moment as only the 10th in its 131-year history. This election is notable for featuring seven candidates in what is described as one of the most open contests in decades. The new president will hold an eight-year term with crucial responsibilities, including guiding the Olympics toward the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles and the selection of a host for the 2036 Games, which could see India or a Middle Eastern country take the spotlight for the first time.
Voting by approximately 100 eligible IOC members will commence at 4 p.m. local time (1400 GMT), with results anticipated within half an hour. Among the seven candidates, key contenders include IOC vice president Juan Antonio Samaranch, along with two-time Olympic gold medalists Sebastian Coe and Kirsty Coventry. Other candidates comprise Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and three presidents of sports federations: Johan Eliasch (skiing), David Lappartient (cycling), and Morinari Watanabe (gymnastics).
Kirsty Coventry, the 41-year-old sports minister of Zimbabwe, could make history as both the first female and the first African IOC president. She emphasized her desire for change, stating, “Let’s create some change, let’s make sure that happens.” Coventry is perceived as a favored successor to the outgoing president, Thomas Bach, who completes his maximum tenure on Olympic Day, June 23.
Bach received heartfelt tributes during the IOC’s annual conference, being honored as honorary president for life as he prepares to hand over a financially robust organization. The IOC is projected to generate over $8 billion in revenue leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with several future host cities secured until 2034, including locations in Italy, the U.S., France, and Australia.
Potential new president Samaranch highlighted a primary focus, asserting, “We must concentrate (on) successful and relevant Olympic Games. The rest comes with success in the games.” If elected, he would also follow in the footsteps of his father, Juan Antonio Samaranch, the IOC president from 1980 to 2001. Voters include royalty, former legislators, business leaders, and Olympic athletes, reflecting the exclusivity of the IOC member group.
The IOC’s presidential election features an engaging field of seven candidates, with Kirsty Coventry possibly making history as the first female and African president. The new leader will play a vital role in steering the Olympics through pivotal events leading to the 2028 LA Games and the selection of the 2036 host. The financial stability of the IOC under outgoing president Thomas Bach highlights the importance of the new president’s vision for continued success in the Olympic movement.
Original Source: kstp.com
