Thomas Bach elected Honorary President of the IOC

Olympia (FIL/20 Mrz 2025) Thomas Bach was elected Honorary President for Life of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the 144th IOC Session in Greece. He will take up this post when his term of office as IOC President ends after June 23, 2025. IOC members unanimously approved the proposal, which was met with a standing ovation after it was made by IOC First Vice-President Nicole Hoevertsz on behalf of the IOC Executive Board (EB) in Olympia (Costa Navarino), Greece. Shortly before, the IOC Session had learned of the enormous success of the Olympic Agenda reforms that characterized Thomas Bach's presidency.

Presenting the proposal, Ms. Hoevertsz stated: “Under the visionary leadership of President Bach, the Olympic Agenda has been successfully implemented over the years, which was certainly no easy task. So it could be said that President Thomas Bach has essentially played a crucial role in modernizing the Olympic Movement and ensuring its relevance in the 21st century. Mr. President and esteemed colleagues of the Executive Board, I would now like to address the IOC members present at this 144th meeting. First of all, I would like to ask you to take a moment and realize that here in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, we are not just concluding this IOC meeting. It marks the end of an era, as we will soon be saying goodbye to President Thomas Bach. I believe that this is the right time to make a proposal to appoint President Thomas Bach as Honorary President for Life of the International Olympic Committee. And please allow me to explain the reasons for this proposal.”

Visibly moved, Thomas Bach accepted the nomination and said: “Dear friends and colleagues, when I was elected President 12 years ago, my first words were ‘ouf’, and now it is the same. I am truly overwhelmed and very grateful for all the words you have addressed to me and for the great honor you are doing me by electing me your Honorary President.”

Thomas Bach, the ninth IOC President, served for 12 years after his election in 2013 at the 125th session in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He completed an initial eight-year term and was re-elected in March 2021 for a second four-year term without opposition.

The position of Honorary President is a lifetime role.

Thomas Bach will step down from the IOC presidency after June 23, 2025, the Olympic day.

Livestream to the 144th IOC Seession in Greece: https://www.youtube.com/live/t-u-S7UcMVY?si=2TqTLUlRsWR3E3fX