World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has signaled that he intends to nominate himself for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee. The report, attributed to the Daily Mail, notes that Coe has long engaged with the Olympic movement and sees this opportunity as a natural extension of his lifelong involvement in sport and governance.
Coe stated that he has always been open to leadership roles within the Olympic movement if the chance presented itself. He emphasized that his extensive experience across athletics administration, event organization, and global sport governance could inform effective leadership at the IOC, should he pursue the position when the election takes place. The announcement adds a notable dimension to the upcoming IOC leadership contest and underscores Coe’s ongoing ambition in the Olympic arena.
The current IOC president is Thomas Bach, who has led the organization since autumn 2013. Bach will face a leadership election in March 2025. His ascent to the post marked a historic milestone, as he became the first German to head the IOC and the first Olympic champion to hold the position. Bach’s athletic career included a 1976 Olympic gold medal in team foil and a world championship title in the same discipline in 1977, achievements that have framed his tenure as a sports administrator and diplomat on the global stage.
Media reports have also touched on remarks attributed to Nikolai Valuev regarding Bach, noting a perception linked to age. Such commentary highlights the intense scrutiny and public dialogue that surround Olympic leadership decisions, given the high profile and global reach of the IOC. The evolving leadership question at the IOC continues to attract attention from athletes, national federations, and sports federations worldwide, as the organization charts a course for Olympic governance in the coming years.