As the world watches, a new leader is set to take the reins of the International Olympic Committee, shaping the future direction of the Games. Lord Sebastian Coe, a former Olympic athlete and British politician, is among those vying for the top spot.
The Olympics is electing a new boss today: Who’s in the running – and who is the British candidate?
New Leadership for the Olympic Movement
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to elect a new President, marking a significant milestone in the history of the Olympic Games. This election is crucial as it will shape the future direction of the Olympic movement, which has been facing challenges in recent years.
The Olympic Games have a rich history dating back to ancient Greece in 776 BC.
The games were held every four years, with the first recorded event being a running competition.
The Olympics were initially open only to free-born Greeks but later expanded to include other countries.
In 393 AD, Emperor Theodosius banned the games due to their pagan origins, and they remained dormant for over 1,500 years.
Candidates in the Running
Several candidates have thrown their hats into the ring, vying for the top spot. Among them are:
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Thomas Bach, the current IOC President, who ‘is seeking re-election’.
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Sehbi Demiralp, a Turkish sports administrator.
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Sam Ramani, an Australian sports lawyer.
The British Candidate: Lord Sebastian Coe
Lord Sebastian Coe, a former Olympic athlete and British politician, ‘is also in the running.’ As a prominent figure in the world of athletics, Coe has been instrumental in shaping the future of the Olympic Games. His experience and leadership skills make him an attractive candidate for the top job.
Lord Sebastian Coe is a British former track and field athlete, politician, and sports administrator.
He won two gold medals at the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games in the 1500 meters event.
Coe served as the Chairman of The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) from 2005 to 2013.
In 2017, he was appointed as the President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
He has been a member of the House of Lords since 2000.
Key Issues on the Agenda
The IOC election will not only determine the new leader of the Olympic movement but also shape the future direction of the Games. Key issues on the agenda include:
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Sustainability and environmental impact
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Governance and transparency
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Athlete welfare and protection
As the world watches, the IOC members ‘will cast their votes to elect the next President of the International Olympic Committee.’ The outcome will have a significant impact on the future of the Olympic movement, and ‘Lord Sebastian Coe is among those vying for the top spot.’
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) holds its elections every four years to select new members and leaders.
The process begins with a nomination period, where candidates are put forward by their respective National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
A shortlist of candidates is then compiled by the IOC's Election Commission.
Voting takes place at the IOC Session, where member countries elect new officials.
The President and Vice-Presidents serve four-year terms, while other members typically hold six-year terms.
