NEW DELHI: The International Olympic Committee on Thursday published manifestos of seven presidential candidates, with one candidate proposing to serve only half of the eight-year term before seeking re-election in 2029.
Sebastian Coe, the 68-year-old World Athletics president, outlined plans for 'transformative change over the next four years' before pursuing re-election.
Several candidates, including Coe, advocated returning decision-making power to IOC members regarding future host city selections.
The current president, Bach, who reaches his 12-year term limit next year, has maintained direct control over host city selection, with members merely confirming pre-selected candidates.
Executive board members Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. and Prince Feisal al Hussein joined Coe in supporting increased member involvement and proposed raising the retirement age from 70 to 75.
The IOC's 111 members comprise royalty, sports administrators, Olympians, politicians, diplomats, business leaders and an Oscar-winning performer.
Presidential candidates must be IOC members, with other contenders including board member Kirsty Coventry and sports federation presidents Johan Eliasch, David Lappartient and Morinari Watanabe.
Campaign activities are limited, with candidates presenting to voters on January 30 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Throughout its 130-year history, the IOC has had nine presidents, all male and predominantly European, with one American.
Coventry, Zimbabwe's 41-year-old sports minister, is the second-ever female candidate and appears to be Bach's preferred successor. Both Coventry and Coe are dual Olympic champions, with Coe also having organised the London 2012 Games.
Coe recently sparked controversy by introducing prize money for Olympic medallists in athletics. Other candidates' proposals include enhanced athlete compensation and relaxed social media restrictions.
The next president faces significant challenges: selecting the 2036 Olympics host, considering Summer Games scheduling changes, addressing climate change impacts, managing gender issues, Russian participation and negotiating US broadcast rights post-2032.
Presidential terms are restricted to 12 years following reforms after the 1999 Salt Lake City scandal, comprising an initial eight-year term with a possible four-year extension.
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