'Prince Jordan X Samaranch Jr.' Who will be the successor of IOC President Bach

Sep 17, 2024

출처=IOC

"Antonio Samaranch Jr., Sebastian Coe.... Who is the leader of the post-Bach era?"

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on the 17th (Korean time) seven candidates to run for the next IOC president to succeed Thomas Bach.

Chairman Bach said at the Paris Olympics ahead of the expiration of his term in 2025 "A new era requires a new leader."I will not seek a third term in order to comply with the IOC Charter's 12-year maximum term limit." he once announced.

Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., IOC Vice Chairman

President of the World Athletics Federation Sebastian Coe.

Prince Faizal al-Hussein of Jordan

Seven candidates have been nominated for the position of 10th IOC President to succeed Bach, including Jordan Prince Feijal al-Hussein, World Athletics Federation President Sebastian Coe (UK), Zimbabwe Swimming Legend Kirsty Coventry, International Ski Federation President Johan Eliassi (Sweden), International Cycling Federation President David Lafartien (France), IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. (Spain), and International Gymnastics Federation President Morinari Wanatabe (Japan).

Sebastian Coe, president of the World Athletics Federation, who is 67 years old this year, is a British sports administrator from track and field legend who won two consecutive gold medals in the 1,500m track and field in Moscow in 1980 and LA in 1984, and two consecutive silver medals in the 800m, and has been serving as the president of the World Athletics Federation since 2015. Samaranch Jr., 64, is currently vice president of the IOC. He has actively contributed to the Olympic movement thanks to the halo of his father Juan Antonio Samaranch, who served as chairman of the IOC from 1980 to 2001.

Prince Faizal al-Hussein is a member of the Jordanian royal family and leads the development of Arab sports. As the chairman of the Jordanian Olympic Committee, he has been active in the IOC.

Kirsty Coventry Zimbabwe Swimming Legend

Coventry is a Zimbabwean swimmer and Olympic gold medalist who is the most decorated Olympian in Africa, winning a total of seven medals from five Olympics. As the youngest candidate at 41, the only female candidate, Zimbabwe's Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Recreation and a member of the IOC.

Johan Eliassi, president of the International Ski Federation, and Bach, president of the IOC

David Lafartien, French Olympic Committee Chairman

Eliasi, from Sweden, is the head of a sporting goods company and a sports manager, currently serving as the president of the International Ski Federation (FIS). The 62-year-old was elected to the IOC in 2024.

David Lafartien of France is a French sports administrator who has been president of the International Cycling Federation (UCI) since 2017 and is also chairman of the IOC eSports Committee, which manages the organization of the 2025 eSports Olympics in Saudi Arabia.

Watanabe Morinari, president of the International Gymnastics Federation.

Morinari Watanabe of Japan is 65 years old this year. He is the president of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). Watanabe, a former gymnast and leader, was elected as the first non-European president of the FIG in 2017 and has been a member of the IOC since 2018.

The seven candidates will announce their pledges to all IOC members in front of the camera at a meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, in January next year, and Bach's successor will be decided through the IOC presidential election to be held at the 143rd IOC General Assembly in Greece on March 18-21.

▶Prince Faizal al-Hussein (63, Jordan) = Wrestler, former rally driver, chairman of the Jordan Olympic Committee. Founder of the 'Generations for Peace' which promotes the integration of conflict zones.

▶ Sir Sebastian Coe (67, United Kingdom) = Two-time Olympic gold medalist in 1,500-meter track and field, former member of the British Conservative Party, and chairman of the International Association of Athletics Federations (World Athletics). He was chairman of the organizing committee of the 2012 London Olympics and chairman of the British Olympic Committee.

▶Kirsty Coventry (41, Zimbabwe)=5 Olympic appearances - 7 medals swimming legend. The most decorated Olympian in Africa. Zimbabwe Sports Minister. He was a former member of the IOC Athletes Commission (2013-2021) and became an official member of the IOC in 2021. Swim School, Kirsty Coventry Academy named after himself, run the Hereros Foundation.

▶Johann Eliassi (62, Sweden) = Chairman of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and Head of a sports goods company. Also serving as consultant to the UK Government on deforestation and environmentally friendly energy.

▶ David Lafartien (51, France) = Chairman of the International Cycling Federation (UCI) and Chairman of the French Olympic Committee.Appointment of IOC members in 2022. Chairman of the eSports Group of the IOC.

▶Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. (64, Spain) = One of the four current IOC vice chairmen. Chairman of the Coordination Committee for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. His father, the late Samaranch, served as IOC President for 21 years until 2001. Samaranch Jr. has been an IOC member since 2001

▶ Morinari Watanabe (65, Japan) = Former gymnast and coach. President of the International Gymnastics Federation. 2020 Tokyo Olympics Organizing Committee Executive Committee member.

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