Thomas Bach open to extending IOC presidency and denting Coe’s ambitions

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, has left open the possibility of staying in power, a move that could significantly hurt Sebastian Coe’s chances of replacing him.

Under IOC rules, Bach’s presidency has to end in 2025 because of a 12-year term limit agreed following the Salt Lake City corruption scandal. However on Sunday, several IOC members argued for the Olympic charter to be changed next year to allow Bach to keep going until 2029.

Speaking on a day when cricket, squash, baseball/softball, lacrosse and flag football were all confirmed to be included in the Los Angeles 2028 games, as first revealed last week by the Guardian, Bach hinted at his openness to stay on and many members backed him publicly. They included the influential Algerian leader of African Olympic bodies, Mustapha Berraf, who said he wanted the IOC “to go through this period of torment with a president who has proved his mettle”.

While Bach was given multiple opportunities to end speculation at an IOC press conference on Monday, he refused to do so. “I appreciate very much this show of support and friendship for me,” he told journalists when asked about a 2025 election bid. “And for these reasons, it is a matter of mutual respect and personal relationships that you do not dismiss such a sign of support and friendship out of hand.”

Bach’s comments are potentially bad news for Coe, the double Olympic 1500m champion and the organiser of the London 2012 Games, who is the only IOC member to publicly hint at a bid for the presidency.

Coe turns 70 in September 2026, the year his IOC membership should expire due to age, meaning a 2025 election is his only chance of getting elected. However he has several obstacles to overcome,