Secrecy and Strategy: The Intriguing Race for IOC Presidency
On Thursday afternoon, the election for the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will take place, a position considered the most significant in the realm of sports and one that often carries considerable political weight—especially concerning the awarding and organization of the Olympic Games. The presidential term is set for eight years, with a possibility of renewal for an additional four. Thomas Bach, the outgoing president, has held the position since his election in 2013. This election has been compared to a papal conclave due to the secretive context in which the voting occurs, often marked by opaque lobbying practices and a diverse group of 109 voters with unique backgrounds.
This year, seven candidates are vying for the role, but none have conducted a conventional public election campaign. The only opportunity for candidates to present their agendas occurred in January in Switzerland, where each delivered a closed presentation lasting about 15 minutes to IOC members, leaving little room for public scrutiny. Consequently, most of the campaigning has revolved around discreet persuasion efforts over the preceding months, characterized by individual meetings and coalition-building. As stated by an IOC member quoted by The Independent, "Everyone tells you who they will vote for, and no one tells you the truth."
The elections are being held at the opulent hotel Costa Navarino, located about a hundred kilometers from Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games. Participants are required to surrender their phones before the voting commences. A secret ballot is conducted, requiring an absolute majority of 50 percent plus one of the 109 votes to elect a president. If no candidate secures this majority, another vote is conducted, excluding the candidate with the fewest votes from the previous ballot. This cycle continues until a candidate achieves the necessary majority.
The IOC is frequently described as a conservative entity resistant to change, making it indispensable for candidates to understand its intricate systems and to have established themselves within its ranks over time. It is uncommon for a presidential candidate to emerge without prior association with the committee. The president ultimately assumes the role of a politician, navigating various lobbyist pressures complicated by the committee members' varied and somewhat unusual backgrounds. Among the 109 voters are a banker from Mongolia, a former teacher from Cape Verde, a doctor from the Fiji Islands, a prince from Bhutan, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and England's Princess Anne.
The current candidates for the presidency include Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics; Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe’s sports minister, who has the potential to be the first woman and first African president, as well as the youngest and is considered Bach's favorite; Juan Antonio Samaranch, the current IOC vice president and son of the former IOC president; David Lappartient, president of the World Cycling Federation; Morinari Watanabe, the president of the World Gymnastics Federation; Johan Eliasch, president of the skiing federation with dual Swedish and English nationality; and Prince Feisal al-Hussein of Jordan.
Coe and Coventry are seen as slight favorites; however, the nature of the voting process coupled with the shadowy campaign strategies makes the outcome unpredictable. The newly elected president will undoubtedly face several complex and sensitive issues, such as addressing the climate crisis's impact on sports, managing the inclusion of transgender athletes, fostering a relationship with the US President, who will host the next Olympics, and the possible reinstatement of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions. As the voting day approaches, this intriguing blend of secrecy, politics, and sportsmanship is sure to captivate the world.
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