The opening day of the 144th International Olympic Committee (IOC) session got underway in Greece on Wednesday (March 19), with the imminent presidential election looming large.
Outgoing IOC president Thomas Bach welcomed the members to the Greek town of Pylos and prepared to present a report ahead of Thursday’s election.
The candidates to replace Bach include international cycling chief David Lappartient, current IOC vice-president Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe, multiple Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry, who is Zimbabwe’s sports minister, and Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan.
International Gymnastics Federation head Morinari Watanabe and Olympic newcomer and multimillionaire Johan Eliasch, who heads the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, complete the list.
While there is no clear front-runner, as was the case in 2013 when then-favourite Bach swept to victory, Coe, Samaranch and Coventry, long seen as Bach’s preferred choice, are considered to have an edge over the other candidates.
Just over 100 IOC members, including federation chiefs, national Olympic committee presidents, royalty and billionaires among others, will cast their votes on Thursday.
The new president is elected on an eight-year term with the possibility of re-election to a second four-year term for a maximum of 12 years in total.
(REUTERS)