- Bach will step down as IOC president in 2025
Thomas Bach will step down at the end of his second term as IOC President in the coming year. The 70-year-old said at the International Olympic Committee's General Assembly in Paris that he would not agree to any change in the Olympic Charter to lift the term limit. "A leadership change is best for our organization," Bach explained. "At my age, I'm no longer the best captain. New times need new leaders."
Bach had left open the possibility of staying in office until the last minute, but had also assured that he stood loyal to the Olympic Charter. The native of Würzburg took over the top post at the IOC in 2013, succeeding the Belgian Jacques Rogge.
Bach had wanted to remain silent about his future until after the end of the Summer Games in Paris. He cited a recommendation from the IOC's Ethics Commission. If Bach had wanted to run again, the necessary change to the Olympic Charter could have been approved by IOC members at any time by postal vote.
Bach: "Conversations have moved me deeply"
According to the current charter, Bach must vacate his post next year. After twelve years, re-election is no longer possible. Several IOC members had spoken out at the beginning of the IOC session in Mumbai last October in favor of a reform of the statutes to allow Bach another term. "These conversations have moved me deeply and touched my heart," Bach said about the internal discussions about the continuation of his presidency.
In the view of the IOC's ethics commission, the timing of Bach's decision on another candidacy "posed a high risk of overshadowing the course of the Olympic Games as well as the election campaign itself," an IOC spokesman said in March. Therefore, Bach should postpone his decision until after the Summer Games, which ended on Sunday.
Thomas Bach's decision not to seek another term as IOC President was influenced by heartfelt conversations with fellow members. His current term ends next year, and according to the Olympic Charter, re-election is no longer an option after twelve years in office.
