IOC President Thomas Bach Announces He Will Not Seek Another Term Ending an Era of Transformation

On August 11, Beijing time, Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), announced that he would not seek another term as the organization's leader.
Bach addressed his decision in a statement, saying:
"Dear friends of the Olympic community:
Today, I informed the 145th session that I do not wish to extend my term as the President of the International Olympic Committee beyond the term limits stipulated in the Olympic Charter. Given our always close cooperation and mutual trust, I must share with you the reasons for my decision. Therefore, I attach my speech delivered on this occasion.
I hope I can count on you to continue to build a trusted partnership and friendship for which I am very grateful."
Bach was elected as the ninth President of the IOC in September 2013, with an initial term of eight years.
In March 2021, during the 137th IOC Session, Bach was re-elected for a second term, which will end in 2025.
Since taking office, Bach has overseen significant transformations within the Olympic movement, including the implementation of reforms through the Olympic Agenda 2020 and its successor, Olympic Agenda 2020+5. These sets of reforms aimed to make the Olympic Games more sustainable, affordable, and reflective of the aspirations of young people worldwide.
Under Bach's leadership, the IOC has also navigated through various challenges, including postponing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring their successful execution in 2021.
The decision not to seek another term aligns with the Olympic Charter, which sets term limits for the IOC President. As his second term is approaching its conclusion, the Olympic community is witnessing the end of an era marked by both progress and adversity.
Bach’s tenure has also been characterized by efforts to enhance the integrity of sports, including the establishment of the International Testing Agency to uphold and enforce anti-doping regulations. His commitment to clean sport was evident in his remarks during a recent press conference, where he stressed the need for global respect towards the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) authority.
As the planning for upcoming Games in Paris 2024 and beyond continues, the IOC will soon face the task of electing a new President who will guide the Olympic movement through its next chapter.
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