IOC gathers in ancient Greece to look to the future

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IOC gathers in ancient Greece to look to the future and elect a new President

Mar 18, 2025

Members of the IOC have gathered at the ancient birthplace of the Olympic Games as they prepare to look to the future and elect a new President.

Ahead of the 144th IOC session, the opening ceremony took place in Ancient Olympia inGreece, where the Olympic Games were born almost 3,000 years ago. Seven candidates are in contention to become the tenth IOC President in the organisation’s history. Voting
takes place during day two of the IOC session on Thursday.

The Ceremony took place at the International Olympic Academy, next to the site of ancient Olympia, featuring traditional Greek dances and musical performances.

“Gathering in Ancient Olympia for the opening of an IOC Session is such a rare moment. Today, we can feel our past, our present and our future aligning,” said Mr Bach in a speech at the historic site.

“The Olympic Games and the values they represent have endured for millennia”, the IOC President continued, “As guardians, it is our duty to unite around these values.”

Tributes were paid to the work and legacy of outgoing President Bach, who has served in the role since 2013. He won gold in fencing at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal and has been a member of the IOC since 1991.

European Olympic Committees President Spyros Capralos said: “I would like to sincerely thank, and I am confident that I express the feelings of everyone here, President Thomas Bach for his unique contribution in keeping the Olympic Movement upright and high during a period marked by unprecedented global crises”.

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