NEW DELHI: International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach announced on Saturday that he will not seek to remain in his position beyond his second term, which ends in 2025.
Despite calls from some members for him to stay on, Bach cited the limits set by the Olympic Charter and stressed the need for a change in leadership.
Bach, a German lawyer who has served since 2013, surprised the IOC members at the end of their session in Paris by revealing his decision.
He mentioned that extending his mandate would have required changing the Olympic Charter, which currently limits the president to a maximum of 12 years.
"As a result of deep deliberations and extensive discussions... I have come to the conclusion that I should not have my mandate extended beyond the limits stipulated in the Olympic Charter," Bach told the session as the Paris Olympics draw to a close.
"After 12 years in the office of IOC President our organisation is best served with a change in leadership. New times are calling for new leaders," he said, with his voice breaking and welling up.
The next IOC president will be elected in March 2025 during the session in ancient Olympia and will assume office in June of that year, according to Bach.
The transition period aims to ensure a smooth handover. To date, no member has openly declared their intention to succeed him.
A former Olympic fencing champion in 1976, Bach joined the IOC as a member in 1991. He took over from his predecessor Jacques Rogge 11 years ago and has led the organization with little opposition.
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