Joe McConnell
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has said he intends to step down at the end of his second term next year.
The German lawyer, in office since 2013, surprised members during a session during the Paris Games by saying he would not continue despite being asked to do so.
An extension would have required a change to the Olympic charter, which limits the president’s term to a maximum of 12 years: an initial eight-year term and a second four-year term, which he himself had helped draft.
“After 12 years as IOC President, our organization benefits greatly from a change of leadership. New times require new leaders,” he said in an emotional speech.
The new IOC president will be elected in March 2025 at a session in Ancient Olympia and will take office in June of the same year, Bach said.
So far, no member has openly applied to succeed him.
An Olympic fencing champion in 1976 and a member of the Olympic body in 1991, Bach has ruled with determination since taking over from his predecessor Jacques Rogge 11 years ago.
He introduced radical reforms for a more rapid introduction of sport into the Olympic programme, as well as for the candidacy process and the organisation of the Games, reducing overall costs and making the event more attractive for potential candidate cities.
