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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.

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Three killer holes at Oakmont including one that cost Tiger Woods a US Open as Rory McIlroy and Co face savage test
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timean hour ago

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Three killer holes at Oakmont including one that cost Tiger Woods a US Open as Rory McIlroy and Co face savage test

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WELCOME to the torture chamber hosting the world's top stars for the next four days, as the US Open comes to Oakmont for a record tenth time. Some holes are as notorious as the players are famous, with hot favourite Scottie Scheffler calling it 'probably the hardest golf course that we'll play - maybe ever". 11 English ace Justin Rose gets down to business in practice Credit: Alamy 11 Scottie Scheffler is the favourite after three wins in four tournaments Credit: Alamy 11 Bryson DeChambeau asked for patience as he signed autographs Credit: Reuters 11 It's three and far from easy for players at Oakmont this week Back in 2007 legend Tiger Woods took one look at the notorious Church Pew bunker that splits the third and fourth fairways - a 100 yard long stretch of sand featuring 12 three foot high grass ridges - and decided he wanted nothing to do with it. 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Emma Raducanu stars in comprehensive grass-court victory
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South Wales Argus

time2 hours ago

  • South Wales Argus

Emma Raducanu stars in comprehensive grass-court victory

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