The 144th IOC session officially kicked off with a symbolic ceremony in ancient Olympia, site of the ancient Games, on Tuesday, in the presence of Greece’s President Konstatinos Tasoulas.
“It is right here, where it all began. Ancient Olympia – the place that holds so much meaning for all of us,” IOC President Thomas Bach, who is set to name his successor on Thursday, said in his speech.
He added: “Greece and the Greek civilisation have given the world two wonderful gifts: democracy and the Olympic Games.” Indeed, a setting befitting the crucial duty of choosing the 10th IOC President.
“Being here, right next to the first-ever Olympic stadium, holds an even deeper significance because we are also very close to the spirit of our founder, Pierre de Coubertin. Just a short walk from here is the stele where, in accordance with his wishes, his heart rests for eternity. In this way, the timeless Olympic spirit – ancient and modern – surrounds us, urging us to reflect and act on our shared responsibility as guardians of this historic Olympic heritage,” said Bach.
Until Friday, 21 March, the supreme body of the IOC will listen to reports and take decisions on important matters concerning the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Games.
“This is a exactly what this session is about. A sacred pilgrimage to our ancient past. An homage to our modern origins and to our founder. And a manifestation of our faith in the future, when we will elect a new president,” said Bach, who will handover to the incoming president on 23 June after 12 years in charge, and also step down as an IOC member after 34 years.
The candidates vying for the IOC presidency are (in order of the draw conducted by the IOC during the campaign period): IOC EB member Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, international cycling chief David Lappartient, president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation Johan Eliasch, current IOC vice-president Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, IOC EB member and Zimbabwe’s sports minister Kirsty Coventry, who is Zimbabwe’s sports minister, World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe and International Gymnastics Federation head Morinari Watanabe.
Only the IOC members, currently 109 of them, will cast their votes on Thursday. The candidate that obtains the absolute majority of votes in a round of voting – and this usually doesn’t happen in the first round. Bach will not exercise his right to vote but he reserves his right to exercise a casting vote.
According to the Olympic Charter, the new president is elected on an initial eight-year term with the possibility of re-election to a second four-year term for a maximum of 12 years in total.
Credit: AIPS Media
