Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has declared he will not pursue a third term after his current tenure concludes in 2025.
Bach shared his decision on the final day of the 142nd IOC Session held during the Paris Olympics.
The German, who won Olympic gold in fencing at the 1976 Montreal Games, stated he will step down when his 12-year term ends in 2025, adhering to the IOC’s tenure limit of 12 years.
During the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai in October 2023, some members suggested Bach seek a third term by potentially amending the Olympic Charter.
However, Bach, who was non-committal then, confirmed at a press conference in Paris that he had decided against extending his leadership beyond the stipulated term.
Bach emphasized the need for new leadership to address new challenges as his reason for stepping down.
The tenure and age limits were introduced for the IOC presidency after past controversies; the president serves an eight-year term with the possibility of one four-year extension.
Currently, Bach is at the age limit of 70, which is the upper age limit for an IOC member.
In July, French security forces arrested 50 activists from the environmental group Extinction Rebellion for planning protest activities and sabotage during the Paris Olympics.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced the arrests during an interview with the government television channel France 2, stating that 150 individuals were intended to participate in “sabotage activities with extremist motivations.” The minister revealed that these plans were scheduled to be executed “during the initial trials of the Olympics,” but he did not disclose the nature of these acts or the details of the plans.
Recent events surrounding the Paris 2024 Olympics have been marked by a series of sabotage activities targeting crucial infrastructure. Just before the opening ceremony, France’s high-speed rail lines were subjected to significant disruptions due to sabotage.
