After the chairman of the International Olympic Committee announced that he will not seek to continue in office after his second term ends in 2025, Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, stated he would think about a presidential run against Thomas Bach.
Bach has been the head of the IOC since 2013. Coe, the president of the 2012 London Olympics Organising Committee and a two-time Olympic 1,500-meter winner, has previously indicated interest in the role.
“I would definitely give it considerable thought if the occasion arose,” Coe stated on Sunday at a press conference to conclude the Olympic track and field tournament.
“The chance has presented itself, and it is obvious that I should consider that.”
According to Bach, the historic Olympia session in March of next year will pick a new IOC president, who will enter office in June.
Although Coe’s experience speaks for itself, he said that there are many more deserving applicants.
“The most significant portion of my life has been spent participating in the Olympic movement. I oversaw the bidding, execution, and two years of legacy for an Olympic Games. I’ve had the honour of competing in two Olympics, serving as chair of the National Olympic Committee, and now holding the greatest position in the world—president of the most popular Olympic sport—Coe said.
“I believe that combining these experiences would be advantageous for the position.
“However, there are other viable applicants with strong qualities for that position,” he continued.
We are a multicultural, diversified bunch of people. The membership is talented. Accepting that membership is necessary. I believe that there should be a wide variety of competent, excellent individuals in the membership to consider.
Given the discussion about the need for younger executives in the global organisation, Coe’s age of 67 may be a disadvantage.
As the head of World Athletics, he has also taken certain moves that have caused friction with some of the biggest names in international sports, such giving $50,000 to Olympic gold medallists in athletics from Paris.
While not one IOC member has publicly ran for president in the event that Bach stands down, a few have been connected to potential presidential campaigns.
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