Bach's potential successors set to woo International Olympic Committee (IOC) voters at 143rd Extraordinary Session in Lausanne
The seven candidates running for International Olympic Committee (IOC) President are set to present their plans for the Olympic Movement on 30 January at the Olympic House to the IOC Members, who are in Lausanne for the 143rd IOC Session, an Extraordinary IOC Session. Following their presentations in the morning, the candidates will also have the opportunity to speak to the media.
Each of them boasts a wealth of experience in multiple fields and will try to convince the electorate that they are perfectly suited for the position. The election is scheduled for the 144th IOC Session to be held from 18 to 21 March 2025 in Greece.
On Thursday, in the order determined by the drawing of lots conducted in November, each candidate will have 15 minutes to deliver their presentation, which must reflect the content of their respective Candidature Document published on the IOC website. Following the morning session, each candidate will then interact with the media for 10 minutes. The media interaction will be live-streamed on IOC Media YouTube.
Citing their track record in sports, business, politics, philanthropy and even the military, the candidates, through their manifestos published on 19 December 2024, pledge to strengthen the solidarity among all stakeholders of the Olympic Movement in addressing critical challenges and charting the way forward for the IOC and global sports.
The new IOC President will take over in June. Bach's presidency ends on Olympic Day, 23 June.
THE CANDIDATES (in the order of the drawing of lots):
HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein - IOC Executive Board Member
David Lappartient – President of the International Cycling Union
Mr Johan Eliasch – President of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation
Mr Juan Antonio Samaranch – IOC Vice President
Mrs Kirsty Coventry – IOC Executive Board Member
Lord Sebastian Coe – President of World Athletics
Mr Morinari Watanabe – President of the International Gymnastics Federation
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Sports Press Association (AIPS).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Youth Charter Calls for Greater Cohesion in Sport for Development to Deliver United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals
The Youth Charter ( a pioneering social legacy organisation dedicated to sport for development and peace, has issued a statement urging greater cohesion, accountability, and youth inclusion in the global delivery of sport-based initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In response to the outcomes of the recent IOC 355 Sustainability Summit, the Youth Charter welcomed the ambition and progress presented through the IOC's Olympism365 programme, with over 550 projects across 175 countries. However, the Charter emphasised that meaningful impact can only be achieved through unified action, public transparency, and intergenerational collaboration. 'Potential alone is not progress. The Olympic Movement must now shift from vision to delivery—co-creating with youth, investing in communities, and reporting with integrity,' said Geoff Thompson, Founder and Chair of the Youth Charter. Key Observations Highlighted in the Youth Charter Response: Leadership without Local Alignment: Only 10% of National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have public sustainability strategies, revealing a critical gap between global vision and national implementation. Lack of Transparent Reporting: The IOC has not released a sustainability report since 2019. Without annual, independent reporting, public trust and measurable accountability are compromised. Safeguarding&Mental Health: Positive strides were announced, but implementation at scale—particularly in the Global South—remains inconsistent and underfunded. Non-binding Targets: The withdrawal of Brisbane 2032's 'climate positive' goal raises urgent questions about the enforceability of sustainability commitments. Absence of Youth Voice: Despite sport's potential to empower young people, youth were largely absent from the Summit's strategic focus and decision-making platforms. Youth Charter Global Call 2 Action – Five-Point Plan: Unified SDG Framework: Embed the UN SDGs across all Olympic bodies with measurable targets and community accountability. Annual Impact Reporting: Commit to public, independent sustainability reporting across all levels of the Olympic Movement. Youth and Community Engagement Taskforce: Establish a cross-sector platform to amplify youth voice in strategy, delivery, and evaluation. Local Ecosystem Collaboration: Strengthen links between NOCs and local education, health, and community networks to ensure inclusive implementation. Investment in Social Legacy Infrastructure: Redirect long-term funding into community-based sport infrastructure, youth employment, and safeguarding systems. 'Young people are not just spectators or beneficiaries. They are the change-makers. The time has come to engage them as equal partners in shaping sport's global impact,' added Thompson. As the world prepares for Paris 2024 and looks toward the final phase of Olympic Agenda 2020+5, the Youth Charter is calling on the IOC, National Olympic Committees, and all sport stakeholders to recommit to the true spirit of Olympism —as a force for health, peace, equity, and sustainable change. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Youth Charter. Youth Charter @ Social Media: LinkedIn: @ YouthCharter Facebook: @ YouthCharter Instagram: @ youthchartersdp YouTube: @ YouthCharter X: @ YOUTHCHARTER Youth Charter #Hashtags: #InternationalOlympicCommittee #Olympism #Fight4theStreets #YoungLivesLost #Call2Action #LegacyOpportunity4All #SportDevelopmentPeace #Empowerthenextgeneration #CommonwealthSecretariat #UNSustainableDevelopmentGoals About Youth Charter: The Youth Charter is a UK registered charity and UN accredited non-governmental organisation. Launched in 1993 as part of the Manchester 2000 Olympic Bid and the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the Youth Charter has Campaigned and Promoted the role and value of sport, art, culture and digital technology in the lives of disaffected young people from disadvantaged communities nationally and internationally. The Youth Charter has a proven track record in the creation and delivery of social and human development programmes with the overall aim of providing young people with an opportunity to develop in life. Specifically, The Youth Charter Tackles educational non-attainment, health inequality, anti-social behaviour and the negative effects of crime, drugs, gang related activity and racism by applying the ethics of sporting and artistic excellence. These can then be translated to provide social and economic benefits of citizenship, rights responsibilities, with improved education, health, social order, environment and college, university, employment and enterprise.
Zawya
29-05-2025
- Zawya
UAE hosts the first intergovernmental session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Central Indian Ocean
Ras Al Khaimah: The UAE National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, in collaboration with UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), hosted the First Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Central Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO-1) recently, in Ras Al Khaimah. This milestone event reflects the UAE's long-standing commitment to strengthening international cooperation in scientific research and the protection of the marine environment. The meeting established a foundational framework for IOCINDIO's work, strengthening regional cooperation in ocean sciences and supporting progress toward key sustainable development goals. It brought together experts from international organizations specializing in ocean research and marine science. The meeting addressed several key themes, including the development of joint strategies to conserve marine ecosystems, the enhancement of research and technical capabilities among member states, and the expansion of knowledge in ocean monitoring and marine resource management. It also laid the groundwork for a collaborative framework to tackle shared environmental challenges, such as climate change and ocean pollution. IOCINDIO, a regional body under UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), aims to strengthen cooperation among Indian Ocean rim countries in the fields of scientific research and sustainable development. Underscoring the UAE's growing leadership on the global stage, the UAE was elected Chair of the Commission, represented by His Excellency Dr. Saif Mohammed Al Ghais, former Director General of the Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah. This prestigious appointment enables the UAE to play a central role in guiding the Commission's strategic direction, providing technical and logistical support, and advancing the coordination of regional scientific initiatives and events. His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, stated: 'The founding meeting of the Oceanographic Commission represents a significant milestone in the UAE's ongoing commitment to supporting UNESCO's programmes, particularly in the vital field of ocean sciences, which has become a global priority. At the National Commission, we remain dedicated to strengthening the UAE's presence on international scientific and cultural platforms through active collaboration with both local and global partners.' Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment said: 'We are proud to contribute to this important scientific event, which reflects the UAE's forward-looking vision to protect the marine environment and advance regional research in ocean sciences. Our collaboration with UNESCO and participating nations underscores our shared commitment to building a sustainable future for marine ecosystems.' His Excellency Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, stated: 'The meeting aligns with Ras Al Khaimah's broader strategy to support environmental and scientific initiatives while reinforcing the Emirate's position as a global hub for sustainable events. We are proud to provide a welcoming and enabling environment that fosters meaningful scientific dialogue, with the potential to positively impact coastal communities in the UAE and across the region.'
Zawya
12-05-2025
- Zawya
Dakar 2026 Advances Venue and Legacy Plans as Youth Olympic Games Preparations Intensify
With less than a year and a half until the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026 ( begin, the seventh meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s ( Coordination Commission marked another key milestone in Games planning. The two-day hybrid meeting brought together key stakeholders to review the latest progress in Dakar 2026 preparations. Newly appointed Coordination Commission Chair Humphrey Kayange ( IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry ( and an IOC delegation participated on-site in Dakar, while other Commission members joined remotely – including IOC Vice-President Nawal El Moutawakel, who has played a pivotal role in the leadership and direction of the Commission from its early stages and has recently been named Vice-Chair. The discussions reaffirmed the shared commitment to delivering Africa's first Olympic sporting event, with a strong focus on operational success and a lasting legacy for the Senegalese youth. The meeting opened with a video message from IOC President Thomas Bach, who praised the progress made by the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee (YOGOC) and underlined the unique significance of the first Olympic sporting event on African soil. 'We all know that the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 will be truly special,' he said. 'Dakar 2026 will be a moment for Africa to shine on the global stage. Dakar 2026 will welcome young athletes from around the world to celebrate sport, culture and the legendary Senegalese spirit of teranga.' Learning Academy launches first cohort A central highlight of the meeting was the official launch of the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy ( – a flagship initiative designed to train and recruit over 400 young professionals aged 21 to 35 in the lead-up to the Games. This structured programme equips participants with essential skills in Games management and operations, enabling them to support the Organising Committee, while building long-term event delivery capacity across Senegal and the continent. Venue master plan finalised as works progress The Coordination Commission welcomed the finalisation of the Dakar 2026 venue master plan, which now includes confirmation of the road cycling route. The race will start and finish along Dakar's scenic Corniche Ouest, providing a vivid and iconic backdrop. Significant construction progress has also been reported across key venues, enhancing overall venue readiness. Comprehensive planning across Games operations In addition to people management, legacy and venues, the Coordination Commission reviewed progress across all functional areas, including technology, ticketing, Games services, marketing, security, athlete education and youth engagement. Progress has been made since the last Commission meeting in November 2024. The Commission emphasised the importance of transitioning towards a more operational and delivery-focused approach, with the YOGOC evolving into its Games-time structure. Humphrey Kayange, Chair of the Coordination Commission for Dakar 2026, said: 'With less than 18 months to go, we are entering the final stretch. These past two days have been incredibly valuable, filled with constructive exchanges that have helped us build a clear picture of where we stand. The momentum that's been built gives us confidence as we move forward towards delivering extraordinary Games for Africa.' Ibrahima Wade, General Coordinator of the YOGOC, also reflected on the progress made and the strengthened commitment from all stakeholders: 'By the end of this 7th meeting, the Coordination Commission, led by its new Chair, Humphrey Kayange, had seen and welcomed the considerable progress made in the various areas related to the YOG Dakar 2026 preparations, and observed that the stage is set for memorable YOG on African soil. It was heartening to hear IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry's re-affirmed commitment to supporting our project. This is an additional reason for the OCOG teams and all the national stakeholders to feel motivated and engaged. The spirit of co-creation between the IOC and Dakar 2026 that has been present so far is evident once again.' Corniche de Dakar to host Espace Let's Move Plans were also shared for the Corniche de Dakar, which will serve as the main hub for celebration and youth engagement during Dakar 2026. This iconic coastal stretch will host Espace Let's Move, a vibrant zone featuring engagement sports alongside a comprehensive programme of cultural, educational and interactive activities. Organised in partnership with national federations and local stakeholders, the area will offer sports demonstrations, health and nutrition workshops and activations promoting the Olympic values. Live entertainment and local food stalls will help create an inclusive, festival-like atmosphere that welcomes young people and families into the heart of the Games experience. Dakar en Jeux 2025 to celebrate youth, sport and Olympic values Looking ahead, the Dakar en Jeux Festival will return later this year for its fourth and final edition before the YOG. Taking place from 3 to 9 November 2025, the festival will once again bring together sport, culture, education and health in a dynamic week-long celebration that reflects the spirit and values of the Games. The YOG Dakar 2026 will take place for two weeks from 31 October, bringing together the world's best young athletes aged up to 17 years. The Games will be held across three host sites (Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly). Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Olympic Committee (IOC). About International Olympic Committee: The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit, civil, non-governmental, international organisation made up of volunteers which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of USD 4.7 million goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.
