IOC President Bach wants to step down in 2025
German-born Thomas Bach has been eyeing a third term as IOC President, which is not provided for in the Olympic Charter. However, he has now announced that he will step down from his post.
Thomas Bach will step down at the end of his second term as IOC President next year. He said he would not agree to any changes in the Olympic Charter to lift the term limit, stating, "A change of leadership is most beneficial for our organization." At 70 years old, Bach believes it's not the "best time" for him to continue as the "captain," and that "new times need new leaders."
Bach had left his re-election open until the last minute, but assured he stood loyal to the Olympic Charter. The native of Würzburg took over the top post at the IOC in 2013, succeeding Belgian Jacques Rogge.
Until the end of the Summer Games in Paris, Bach had remained silent about his future plans, citing the recommendation of the Ethics Commission of the umbrella organization. If Bach had decided to run again, the necessary changes to the Olympic Charter could have been approved by IOC members at any time via postal vote.
Bach: "Conversations have deeply moved me"
According to the current charter, Bach must step down next year after 12 years. Several IOC members had spoken out in favor of a reform of the statutes at the beginning of the IOC session in Mumbai last October to allow Bach another term. "These conversations have deeply moved me and touched my heart," Bach said about the internal discussions about the continuation of his presidency.
The IOC ethics committee believed that the timing of Bach's decision on another candidacy "posed a high risk of overshadowing the course of the Olympic Games and the election campaign itself," an IOC spokesman said in March. Therefore, Bach was advised to postpone his decision until after the Summer Games, which ended on Sunday.
Despite the support for an extra term from some IOC members, Bach adhered to the current rules of The Charter, aiming to respect its integrity. He acknowledged that the internal discussions about extending his presidency had been emotional and meaningful.
