IOC members call on Bach to stay on past 2025

MUMBAI :Several International Olympic Committee members called on Sunday for President Thomas Bach to stay on after his second term ends in 2025 and continue for an unprecedented third one.

Elected in 2013, Bach is due to step down in 2025 in line with current Olympic Charter rules, following a first eight-year term and a second four-year one.

Sunday's open declaration by IOC members followed speculation in recent months that Bach could potentially continue as president of the one of the most powerful bodies in global sports.

So far no IOC member has declared an intention to run for the top job, though there are several who are seen as potential candidates.

The number of terms was limited to avoid lengthy tenures such as that of former president Juan Antonio Samaranch, who was in charge for 21 years from 1980 to 2001.

"You have shown us the best way to go forward," IOC member Luis Mejia Oviedo told Bach as he proposed him for a third term.

"We have to look after this movement. That is why I would like to put forward this approach."

Several other members also called on Bach to stay on and asked for a Charter change.

It will not happen during their meeting in the Indian financial capital, as such changes need to be proposed in writing and handed in 30 days prior to an IOC session.

Bach, a German lawyer, said he was deeply honoured but refused to say if he planned to stay and whether he would propose a Charter change in future to make that possible.

"You know I am very loyal to the Olympic Charter. Being a core author of this Olympic Charter drives me to be more loyal to this Olympic Charter," Bach said.

"These words of support are not only directed to me. They are directed to all of us. What made us to overcome the challenges we had