Lord Coe May Run for IOC President

World Athletics chief Lord Coe has indicated he may consider a run for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following the announcement that current president Thomas Bach will step down in 2025. Coe, who is currently in his third term as president of World Athletics, expressed his willingness to contemplate the opportunity, stating, “I’ve always made it clear that if the opportunity arose I would obviously give it serious thought.” Bach, who has served as IOC president since 2013, announced his decision to leave the role during the IOC’s 142nd session, emphasizing the need for new leadership after 12 years in office. He stated, “Our organisation is best served with a change in leadership,” and confirmed that a new president will be elected in March 2025 during the IOC membership meeting in Greece, with the new leader taking office in June. Reflecting on his extensive experience within the Olympic movement, Coe highlighted his past roles, including chairing an Olympic Games and serving on a national Olympic committee. He believes these experiences could be advantageous for the presidency. However, when pressed for a definitive answer regarding his candidacy, Coe maintained a cautious stance, reiterating that he would consider the opportunity but had not made any formal announcement. As the Olympic community prepares for this leadership transition, the potential candidacy of Lord Coe adds an intriguing dimension to the upcoming election.