Thomas Bach officially leaves his hand at the head of the IOC and when we announced a long election, a candidate won the latter in the 1st round.
Important day in the world of sport this Thursday, March 20 with the election of the new director of the IOC, who will take the place of Thomas Bach, president since 2013. Seven candidates were on the starting line, David Lappartient, Sebastien Coe, Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior, Kirsty Coventry, Feisal Al-Hussein, Johan Eliasch and Morinari Watanabe. In France, we hoped to see the current president of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee to take power, but to everyone’s surprise, it was from the first round that the election was played. Announced as a big favorite, it is the former swimmer Kirsty Coventry who is elected new president, the first in history, she who was the protégé of the current president Thomas Bach. The swimmer has a record that talks about herself since she was medalist seven times at the Olympic Games, winning gold in Athens and Beijing on 200m back with her selection of Zimbabwe.
“”It’s an extraordinary moment. When I was a 9 year old girl, I had never imagined one day being here in front of you, at the head of this extraordinary movement. It is not just a great honor, it is also a reminder of my commitment to each member of the IOC. I am very proud to be president, and I will be by carrying values that are dear to my heart. And I hope to make you proud of the decision you have made today. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. This campaign was magnificent and I am sure that she made each of the candidates better, stronger ” explained the new president.
A ballot worthy of a conclave
The ballot to elect the new president had to be very special. Already, the campaign was very discreet because the debates are prohibited, the words scrutinized and the surveys nonexistent. All these measures must vigorously respect the Ethics Charter of the IOC. Far from the media, the 109 members of the body took place to eliminate a candidate after turn, with the objective of appointing one by an absolute majority. The candidate who finished in the last place of the various laps was eliminated without possible discussion. The election could therefore go to the sixth round and this will not be the case!
LPassement of powers between Thomas Bach and the next boss (or patron s) will only take place on June 23 for an 8 -year term unless the age limit (70 years) is reached.