logo
From Games on five continents to digital change, IOC candidates unveil plans

From Games on five continents to digital change, IOC candidates unveil plans

Reuters30-01-2025

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Jan 30 (Reuters) - The seven candidates for the world's most powerful job in global sport -- the presidency of the International Olympic Committee -- unveiled their plans and vision for the Games in a brief presentation to the IOC membership on Thursday.
From a Games held simultaneously across five continents to the need for quick digital change to keep up with the times, the priorities of candidates varied in the 15 minutes each was allowed to address the 100-plus IOC members behind closed doors.
The members, who on Thursday were not allowed to ask any questions, will elect a new Olympic leader for an eight-year term on March 30 at their session in Greece.
"The Olympics to be held on five continents at the same time," Morinari Watanabe, international gymnastics federation chief and presidential candidate told a press conference following his presentation. "To offer greater potential for broadcasters and commercial opportunity."
The candidates are World Athletics chief and former Olympic champion Sebastian Coe, multiple Olympic swimming gold medallist Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe's sports minister, as well as Spaniard Juan Antonio Samaranch, son of the late former IOC president.
International cycling chief David Lappartient, Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, Olympic newcomer and multimillionaire Johan Eliasch, who heads the International Ski Federation, and Watanabe complete the candidates' lineup.
"I felt very good in the room. It is for them (members) to decide whether I touched the right fibres," Samaranch, who among other things wants a new bid system for cities, told a press conference following his presentation.
While Lappartient said he would like the Games to be hosted by an African nation, Prince Feisal wanted the return of boxing on the Los Angeles 2028 Games programme after the international federation (IBA) was stripped of its Olympic recognition by the IOC over governance problems.
NO FAVOURITE
It is difficult to predict the outcome of the vote with no clear front-runner, unlike 12 years ago when outgoing president Thomas Bach as overwhelming favourite was first elected.
Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Games while Brisbane will stage the 2032 edition.
The IOC's finances are robust, with $7.3 billion of revenues already secured for the years 2025-28 and $6.2 billion for 2029-2032, but it also saw three top sponsors -- Toyota, Bridgestone and Panasonic -- terminate their contracts in 2024.
Several of the candidates touched on the need to review the Olympic body's commercial structure.
"I am standing because I believe I have a proven track record and experience to deliver," said businessman Eliasch. "I know what it takes to lead and drive change. This is not a popularity contest."
Coventry, the only female candidate and the only one from Africa, said she was not getting any favourable treatment or support from President Bach, a former Olympic fencing champion, despite being long seen as his preferred choice.
"As fellow athletes we share a lot of common ideas and philosophies. I do firmly believe he is being very fair to all candidates," Coventry said.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘We wanted to do it' – Usain Bolt names world record holder among three stars he was gutted not to race against
‘We wanted to do it' – Usain Bolt names world record holder among three stars he was gutted not to race against

Scottish Sun

time33 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

‘We wanted to do it' – Usain Bolt names world record holder among three stars he was gutted not to race against

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) USAIN BOLT has revealed the three stars he would have loved to have raced against - including a world record holder. Bolt, 38, opened up about the athletes that he regrets not facing up against, having retired from the track in 2017. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Usain Bolt has revealed three sprinters he would have loved to have faced off against Credit: Puma YouTube 5 Bolt was sprinting's dominant force during his career Credit: Getty There's few sprinters that could come close to Bolt in his prime, with the Jamaican winning an astonishing eight Olympic gold medals over the years. Bolt still holds the world record for the 100m sprint, set at 9.58 seconds in 2009, but would have loved to push himself further against other greats from the past and present. Speaking to Colin Jackson on the PUMA Go Wild Podcast, Bolt listed legends Don Quarrie and Michael Johnson alongside current world record holder Wayde van Niekerk as his dream race opponents. He said: "It would definitely be Michael Johnson, and Don Quarrie. READ MORE IN SPORT GOD SPEED Sports mad MONK becomes British athletics champion aged 81 after 70-year wait "And I'm very sad that I didn't get to compete against van Niekerk, we wanted to do a 200m and I was not fit enough. "That's one thing, I was like, 'You know what? I wish I was fit enough to compete against him.' "He's the world record holder and I was like, 'You know what? To run a 200m with him, who would be the best?' "It would have been great to compete with him." 5 Wayde van Niekerk holds the 400m world record Credit: AP:Associated Press CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Van Niekerk, 32, currently holds the world record for the 400m sprint after winning gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics at 43.03 seconds. While he is also the first sprinter in the history of track and field to record a sub 10-second 100m, a sub 20-second 200m and a sub-44 second 400m. 'I'm ready, let's go' - Usain Bolt teases sensational comeback to race THREE big-name rivals.. but Justin Gatlin snubbed Van Niekerk isn't the only current sprinter that Bolt has suggested he would like to race against either. Earlier this year he revealed he would love to give current Olympic champion Noah Lyles a run for his money. Legend Michael Johnson, 57, won four Olympic gold medals for Team USA. While Don Quarrie, 74, represented Jamaica at three Olympic Games, winning gold for the 200m in 1976 5 Michael Johnson won four Olympic gold medals for Team USA Credit: Getty

‘We wanted to do it' – Usain Bolt names world record holder among three stars he was gutted not to race against
‘We wanted to do it' – Usain Bolt names world record holder among three stars he was gutted not to race against

The Sun

time33 minutes ago

  • The Sun

‘We wanted to do it' – Usain Bolt names world record holder among three stars he was gutted not to race against

USAIN BOLT has revealed the three stars he would have loved to have raced against - including a world record holder. Bolt, 38, opened up about the athletes that he regrets not facing up against, having retired from the track in 2017. 5 5 There's few sprinters that could come close to Bolt in his prime, with the Jamaican winning an astonishing eight Olympic gold medals over the years. Bolt still holds the world record for the 100m sprint, set at 9.58 seconds in 2009, but would have loved to push himself further against other greats from the past and present. Speaking to Colin Jackson on the PUMA Go Wild Podcast, Bolt listed legends Don Quarrie and Michael Johnson alongside current world record holder Wayde van Niekerk as his dream race opponents. He said: "It would definitely be Michael Johnson, and Don Quarrie. "And I'm very sad that I didn't get to compete against van Niekerk, we wanted to do a 200m and I was not fit enough. "That's one thing, I was like, 'You know what? I wish I was fit enough to compete against him.' "He's the world record holder and I was like, 'You know what? To run a 200m with him, who would be the best?' "It would have been great to compete with him." 5 Van Niekerk, 32, currently holds the world record for the 400m sprint after winning gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics at 43.03 seconds. While he is also the first sprinter in the history of track and field to record a sub 10-second 100m, a sub 20-second 200m and a sub-44 second 400m. 'I'm ready, let's go' - Usain Bolt teases sensational comeback to race THREE big-name rivals.. but Justin Gatlin snubbed Van Niekerk isn't the only current sprinter that Bolt has suggested he would like to race against either. Earlier this year he revealed he would love to give current Olympic champion Noah Lyles a run for his money. Legend Michael Johnson, 57, won four Olympic gold medals for Team USA. While Don Quarrie, 74, represented Jamaica at three Olympic Games, winning gold for the 200m in 1976 5 5

Carlos Alcaraz set to lose huge chunk of his £2.1million French Open winnings due to little-known rule
Carlos Alcaraz set to lose huge chunk of his £2.1million French Open winnings due to little-known rule

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

Carlos Alcaraz set to lose huge chunk of his £2.1million French Open winnings due to little-known rule

Alcaraz achieved a feat only bettered by two tennis icons NET NEGATIVE Carlos Alcaraz set to lose huge chunk of his £2.1million French Open winnings due to little-known rule Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CARLOS ALCARAZ is set to lose a huge amount of his £2.1million French Open prize money. The Spaniard beat Jannik Sinner in a thrilling final that lasted five hours and 29 minutes on Sunday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Carlos Alcaraz won his fifth Grand Slam title at the French Open Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Alcaraz saved three match points in the fourth set as he staged an incredible comeback to seal victory 4-6 6-7 6-4 7-6 7-6. It was his second French Open crown in as many years and his win earned him a sweet £2.13m. Rules state that tax on prize money pocketed must be paid in the country where the tournament is hosted. That means Alcaraz has had to give 30 per cent to the French government as that is the local tax rate on earnings of that size. READ MORE IN TENNIS Not in good Nick Nick Kyrgios 'axed from BBC's Wimbledon coverage' amid row over pundit It sees the 22-year-old cough up a staggering £639,000. However, his cheque will still be worth a whopping £1,491,000. Alcaraz will not have to pay income tax on his Roland Garros cash in Spain. But as he is still registered as a resident in his homeland, any other earnings like sponsorship deals could come within the Spanish government's grasp. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Alcaraz has a won £35.3m in prize money alone across his career so far. Before the French Open began, he told the Tennis Channel what he spends his cash on, saying: "Not after every big win, but for example at the Grand Slams, if I reach the semi-finals, I like to buy myself a new pair of sneakers. Carlos Alcaraz stuns French Open fans with classy gesture as he wins rally but concedes point due to little-known rule "If I feel like I had a good season, at the end of the year I'll buy myself a nice watch." Alcaraz has now won five Grand Slam titles - with only Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal reaching that milestone at a younger age.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store