In a historic decision, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has announced his resignation as an IOC Member, effective after June 23, 2025. This follows his earlier declaration at the IOC Session in Paris that he would not seek an extension of his presidency despite strong calls from fellow IOC Members to continue his leadership. His departure will coincide with the transition to a new IOC President, who is set to be elected on March 20, 2025, in Costa Navarino, Greece.
Bach’s tenure, which began on September 10, 2013, saw transformative changes in the Olympic movement. After being re-elected for a second four-year term in March 2021, he spearheaded major reforms, including the Olympic Agenda 2020, which emphasized sustainability, gender equality, and good governance. His leadership navigated the IOC through critical moments, including the unprecedented postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A distinguished athlete before transitioning into sports administration, Bach won Olympic gold in foil fencing at the 1976 Montreal Games. He later played a pivotal role in shaping the Olympic movement, serving as an athletes’ representative at the 1981 Olympic Congress in Baden-Baden and becoming a founding member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission. His rise in the IOC ranks saw him elected as a member in 1991, later joining the Executive Board in 1996, and serving as Vice-President for over a decade.
Beyond his contributions to the IOC, Bach was instrumental in German sports governance. In 2006, he became the founding President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), reinforcing his legacy as a key figure in global sports administration. His tenure has been marked by a steadfast commitment to Olympic values, diplomacy, and fostering unity through sports.
As the countdown to the leadership transition begins, speculation is mounting over who will succeed Bach and how the new presidency will shape the future of the Olympic movement. With the next chapter of the IOC’s leadership unfolding, Bach’s legacy will remain a benchmark in the annals of Olympic history.
