Behind closed doors in Switzerland earlier this week, seven candidates for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidency presented their visions for one of the most pivotal roles in global sports. In a process shrouded in secrecy and tradition, each candidate had 15 minutes to outline their plans for steering the Olympic movement forward, marking the first contested presidential election since 2013.
The election, attended by 100 voters, prohibits phones and questions, with candidates awaiting the official poll on March 20 in Greece. Among the contenders is Sebastian Coe, a familiar name to Australians and a frontrunner to succeed the outgoing president, Thomas Bach.
Inside the IOC Election
The candidates include Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., son of the former IOC president known for announcing Sydney as the host city for the 2000 Games, and Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwean swimmer and the most decorated African Olympic athlete. Royalty is represented by Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan, alongside International Ski Federation president Johan Eliasch and Union Cycliste Internationale president David Lappartient.
Japanese gymnastics head Morinari Watanabe proposes a bold plan to transform the Olympics into a 24-hour global event. However, it is Sebastian Coe who stands out, with his experience and recognition in the sports world.
“The bookie’s favourites are not always the people that come through,” Coe tells legendary broadcaster Bruce McAvaney in an interview for ABC Sport Daily. “This is a complicated process and it’s ultimately for the members to decide.”
Challenges for the Next IOC President
Following the March 20 poll, the winner will be announced, entering a three-month transition before officially taking over in June. The new president will face complex discussions, many politically charged rather than athletic. Key issues include the ongoing war in Eastern Europe, the status of Russian athletes, gender in sports, and the environmental impact of large events.
Sebastian Coe, known for his eloquence, addresses these topics cautiously. On gender in sports, he remains firm on his stance, emphasizing the importance of protecting women’s sports.
“We follow the science,” Coe says. “Gender cannot trump biology. If you do not protect and promote the integrity of women’s sports, you simply do not have women’s sport.”
The Political Landscape
Coe also touches on international relations, notably with the United States under President Donald Trump, ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Despite environmental challenges, Coe expresses confidence in Trump’s support for the event.
“I’m very surprised that anybody would have thought that an incoming president for the United States with the next Summer Games in their own backyard would have been anything other than completely supportive,” he says.
Looking Towards Brisbane 2032
Should the incoming IOC president complete their term, they will oversee Australia’s third Olympic Games in Brisbane 2032. Coe offers a cautionary note to organizers, stressing the need for flexibility in planning due to the rapidly changing global landscape.
“The world changes every 10 minutes,” Coe remarks. “I think it’s possibly not the best way to deliver or to choose a venue 12, 13 years out because you don’t know strategically where the world is going to shift.”
The decision regarding the Olympic stadium in Queensland remains a pressing issue, with Coe emphasizing the importance of legacy in planning.
“It is for local communities, it’s for organizing committees, for the International Olympic Committee to decide what works best and what is going to leave the best possible legacy, because legacy is important here,” Coe asserts.
From Los Angeles to Brisbane and beyond, the next IOC president will carry the weight of the sporting world on their shoulders, shaping a legacy that will endure long after their tenure.
“You stand by what you believe, you stand by what you say, and then you go out and implement it,” Coe concludes. “And you should be judged on that.”
Listen to the full interview between Bruce McAvaney and Sebastian Coe at ABC Sport Daily.
