Thomas Bach resigns as IOC member

Thomas Bach has resigned as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). His application has been accepted, the decision will take effect on June 23, the day of the transfer of powers to the new IOC chairman, and the elections will be held on March 20, Reuters reports.

Bach, who won gold in fencing at the 1976 Olympics, will step down this year after 12 years in charge.

"The IOC Executive Board today agreed to accept the resignation of IOC President Thomas Bach as a member of the organization, effective after June 23, 2025," the statement said.

Bach, 71, could remain an IOC member until he is 80, as he has been on the Committee since 1991.

Seven candidates have been nominated for the March 20 election, which will take place at the IOC session in Greece. Among them are Sebastian Coe, the head of World Athletics, Kirsty Coventry, a multiple Olympic swimming champion and Minister of Sports of Zimbabwe, and Juan Antonio Samaranch, the son of the former IOC president.

The list of candidates also includes David Lappartient, chairman of the International Cycling Union, Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Morinari Watanabe, president of the International Gymnastics Federation, and Swedish billionaire Johan Eliasch, who heads the International Ski Federation.

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