Who will become the next chief of world sports?

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the world’s most powerful sports body. And its president is, by far, the most influential official in international sport.

Next year, the IOC will elect a new president and the race for the coveted job is already underway.

World athletics chief Sebastian Coe, multi-millionaire and Olympic newcomer Johan Eliasch and Zimbabwe's Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry are among seven candidates for next year's election, the IOC has announced.

IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch, son of the late former IOC president, international cycling chief David Lappartient, Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan and international gymnastics federation head Morinari Watanabe are also in the running to succeed current president Thomas Bach.

The 70-year-old Thomas Bach of Germany is stepping down next year after 12 years at the helm.

Thomas Bach, the outgoing IOC presidentReuters

The election will be held at the IOC session in ancient Olympia, Greece in March 2025.

The candidates will all present their programmes, behind closed doors, to the full IOC membership in January 2025.

The IOC, with 111 members currently, is in charge of the Olympic Games and the multi-billion-dollar industry linked to the world's biggest multi-sports event.

Bach's departure comes with the organisation in a financially robust position, having secured $7.3 billion for the years 2025-28 and $6.2 billion already in deals for 2029-2032.

The president is elected to an eight-year first term with the possibility of a second term of four years, if re-elected.

All IOC presidents have been men, with eight of the nine from Europe and one from the United States. “The IOC and Olympic movement have made enormous strides over the past decade under the leadership of Mr Bach," said Samaranch in a statement. The IOC now needs a new leader with deep experience of the Olympic movement who can help steer it through this period of upheaval."

The seven candidates

1. Prince Feisal:

Jordan’s Prince Feisal al Hussein, is a member of the IOC executive board, having joined the organisation in 2010.The 60-year-old Feisal's Middle Eastern background could play a vital role in enhancing IOC’s global reach.

2. Antonio Samaranch:

Juan Antonio Samaranch, the son of former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch Salisachs, who led the organisation from 1982 to 2001, is another prominent figure in the race.

Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, Vice-President of IOC speaks during the 133rd IOC session in Buenos Aires, Argentina October 9, 2018.Reuters

Currently serving as one of IOC's four vice presidents. The Spaniard has a considerable six years’ experience as IOC’s vice president. He also headed the coordination commission for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

3. Sebastian Coe:

Coe, 67, only joined the IOC in 2020 after a rocky relationship between World Athletics and the IOC over Coe's ban of Russian track and field athletes almost a decade ago following the country's doping scandal.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe speaks during the 2023 World Athletics Championships at National Athletics Centre.Reuters

A former Olympic champion with a wealth of experience in the sports world, Coe was previously head of the London 2012 Games and the British Olympic Association. He is also a former Conservative Member of Parliament.

4. Kirsty Coventry:

Coventry, 41, is the only woman running for president and the former Olympic swimming champion, who is Zimbabwe's most decorated Olympian, could become not only the first female president but also the first from Africa.

5. Morinari Watanabe:

Japan's Watanabe, 65, has headed the gymnastics federation (FIG) since 2016, having been re-elected twice since, and is his country's first ever candidate for the IOC presidency. Watanabe’s involvement in a central Olympic sport adds an important dimension to the race.

6. Johan Eliasch:

The 62-year-old Eliasch, head of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), only joined the IOC in July, with the Swedish-born British businessman's candidacy a surprise for some.

International Ski Federation (FIS) President Johan Eliasch. Reuters

Eliasch's has achieved a considerable success in winter sports, may introduce fresh perspectives to the IOC.

7. David Lappartient:

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), chief David Lappartient has been a rapidly rising figure within the sports world after joining the IOC in 2022. The Frenchman also is in charge of esports within the IOC, having helped seal a 12-year deal with Saudi Arabia earlier this year for the Olympic esports Games.

With inputs from Reuters