144th IOC Session explained

The 144th IOC Session is an upcoming IOC Session scheduled to be held in Athens, Greece on March 18–21, 2025.^[1] At this session, the tenth President of the International Olympic Committee will be elected.

Athens was originally selected to host the 137th IOC Session that was due to take place in 2021, however, the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions altered to hold the session virtually.^{[2] [3]}

Although this is not confirmed to be on the agenda at the session, President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach announced that the inclusion of Boxing in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will be decided at some point in 2025.^[4]

IOC Presidential Election

Thomas Bach, who is term-limited as President of the International Olympic Committee, will conclude his tenure as President at this session. Bach was elected President at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires in 2013.^{[5] [6]} The tenth IOC President will be elected at this session.

Declared Candidates

On September 16th, 2024, the IOC announced that the following candidates will run for the presidency.^[7]

• Sebastian Coe

IOC member since 2020, President of World Athletics, & President of the London 2012 Olympic organizing committee.

• Juan Antonio Samaranch Salisachs

IOC member since 2001, Son of former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, financial analyst, & IOC vice president.

• Morinari Watanabe

IOC member since 2018, Member of the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, & President of The International Gymnastics Federation.

• Kirsty Coventry

IOC member since 2013, Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in Zimbabwe, Olympic champion in swimming (Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008), & member of the IOC executive board.

• David Lappartient

IOC Member since 2022, President of The International Cycling Union, & President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee.

• Johan Eliasch

IOC Member since 2024, President of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, & Environmental Activist.

• Prince Faisal bin Hussein

IOC Member since 2010, brother of King Abdullah II, & member of the IOC executive board.

Declined

• Thomas Bach^[8]

IOC President since 2013, Olympic champion in Fencing - Montreal 1976

On the day before the closing ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, he confirmed that he will not seek a third term.^[9]

Notes and References

1. Web site: IOC President Thomas Bach announces that he will not consider an extension of his term. IOC Media. Olympics. 10 August 2024. 6 September 2024.
2. https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-session-in-2025-to-be-hosted-in-athens IOC Session in 2025 to be hosted in Athens
3. https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1105278/athens-to-host-2025-ioc-session Athens confirmed as host city for 2025 IOC Session
4. Web site: Boxing's inclusion in LA 2028 Games to be decided next year . 8 August 2024 .
5. https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/31038154/thomas-bach-running-unopposed-re-elected-ioc-president-2025 Thomas Bach, unopposed, reelected as IOC president until 2025
6. https://olympics.com/ioc/news/thomas-bach-re-elected-as-ioc-president-for-second-term Thomas Bach reelected as IOC President for second term
7. Web site: Seven candidates announced for IOC presidency . 16 September 2024 .
8. https://olympics.com/ioc/mr-thomas-bach
9. Web site: Olympics chief Thomas Bach says will not seek third term . 10 August 2024 .