The Olympics: New IOC President
By Dr Lucien Valloni
A new President, to succeed Dr Thomas Bach, will be elected at a meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to be held in Athens, Greece, from 18-21 March 2025.
The seven contenders for this prestigious position are: David Lappartient (France); Morinari Watanabe (Japan); Prince Feisal al Hussein (Jordan); Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr (Spain); Johan Eliasch (Sweden); Lord Sebastian Coe (UK); and Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe).
The question on most people’s minds is: will the IOC depart from tradition in its 130 years’ history and, for the first time, appoint a woman and someone from outside Europe and North America?
In view of the increasing part played by women in sport around the world, this would not only be an appropriate appointment but also a groundbreaking one.
Coventry is a former Olympic swimmer, the present Zimbabwe Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation and 41 years old. If she is appointed, she would become the youngest ever President of the IOC.
There is not long to wait to find out what happens!
Dr Lucien Valloni may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
