IOC President Thomas Bach will not seek third term

The German announced this on Saturday, at the closing of the 142nd session of the Olympic body in Paris.

German Thomas Bach, who has headed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2013, announced on Saturday August 10 that he would not seek a third term from 2025, which would have meant modifying the Olympic charter.

“After careful deliberation, (…) I have come to the conclusion that I should not request an extension of my term.”in order to “protect credibility” of the Olympic movement, the leader said at the close of the 142nd IOC session in Paris, where the Games end on Sunday.

The 70-year-old former foil fencer, Olympic team champion at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, recalled that he had been “one of the promoters” of the limitation of mandates in an institution hit by governance scandals. “This mantra also applies to myself”he said.

The IOC will therefore elect his successor at its 143rd session in Athens from 18 to 21 March 2025, while Thomas Bach will remain in office until June.