IOC President Bach Proud of Olympic Games Without Boycotts
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Synopsis
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach reflects on his tenure, noting the absence of boycotts in the Olympic Games he oversaw. As he prepares to step down in June, he emphasizes the importance of unity and political neutrality for the future of the Olympic movement.
Key Takeaways
- Bach feels proud of no boycotts during his presidency.
- He acknowledges regrets about impatience in implementing changes.
- Unity and dialogue with society are essential for the Olympics.
- The IOC is enhancing financial stability through new partnerships.
- Seven candidates are in the race to succeed Bach.
Beijing, Feb 20 (NationPress) Reflecting on his Olympic journey, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach expressed his pride in the fact that no Olympic Games he has overseen have faced a boycott. As he prepares to step down in June after 12 years in this role, Bach announced he will not pursue a third term when his current tenure concludes in 2025. A former Olympic fencing champion from Montreal in 1976, Bach shared that the political boycotts of the 1980s motivated him to enter sports management. "It is very special for me that none of the Olympic Games I have been presiding (over) had any boycott," Bach told Xinhua. He emphasized that despite ongoing geopolitical tensions leading up to Paris 2024, the IOC successfully brought together athletes from 206 countries and regions, including the IOC Refugee Olympic Team.
Since being elected IOC president in 2013, Bach admitted to having regrets about sometimes being overly eager to implement changes and acknowledged that more clarity could have been provided.
"To truly unite, you must understand the needs and situations of others, and be ready to offer and accept assistance," Bach noted. "We need to organize the Games in a manner that enhances society in all aspects. We do not operate in isolation, so engaging with society is essential."
He further stated, "We are on the verge of enhancing our financial stability and strengthening it by partnering with new sponsors and extending existing partnerships, which are currently robust. However, we need to focus on technical improvements regarding sponsor recognition."
Seven candidates are vying to succeed Bach as IOC president: Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., Sebastian Coe, Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Kirsty Coventry, Johan Eliasch, David Lappartient, and Morinari Watanabe.
In discussing his successor, Bach emphasized the necessity of maintaining unity within the Olympic movement and ensuring its relevance worldwide. "To preserve the universality of the Olympic Games, one must remain politically neutral. This can be challenging, but it is crucial to resist that pressure."
