Several members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), including the Dominican Luis Mejía and the African representatives, consider that it would be a good idea for the Olympic Charter to be modified to allow the current president, the German Thomas Bach, to continue in office longer. beyond 2025, when his mandate expires.
During the 141st IOC Session held in Mombay (India), Algerian Mustafa Berraf, vice president of the Association of African Olympic Committees, said he spoke on behalf of them and the African members of the IOC by "suggesting that changes be made necessary" so that Bach can serve as president "for an additional term.
Berraf had previously summarized the crises of all kinds that the planet is currently experiencing and the need for a top sports leader with experience to face them "and lead the IOC during this stormy time", in addition to preparing in time for "the transition" to the next presidency .
According to the Olympic Face, the president serves a first term of eight years, which can be extended with a second and final term of four. Bach was elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2021.
Luis Mejía intervened in the Session to praise the decisions made by the German leader and also requested the modification of the Olympic Charter to introduce the possibility of this new mandate.
"It would be a motivation for us," he said. "It is a personal opinion. The future is always imprecise and we must have the best leaders."
The Paraguayan Camilo Pérez expressed himself in similar terms. "The Olympic Movement, without a doubt, must maintain this calm leadership in these times of crisis," he said. Aïcha Garad Ali, from Djibouti, was also in favor.
Thomas Bach responded to these signs of support for its continuity with words of gratitude and "loyalty to the Olympic Charter." "I will not hide that his words have touched me directly to my heart," he said.
"That said, you also know that I am very loyal to the Olympic Charter. Being one of the main authors of this Charter pushes me to be more loyal to it. Thank you very much again, I am very touched by your support and friendship," he added.
The modification of the Olympic Charter to extend the mandate of the president has precedents, since the Session approved a change in 1995 to raise the retirement age in the IOC from 75 to 80 years, which allowed Juan Antonio Samaranch to be re-elected in 1997 His successor, the Belgian Jacques Rogge, was the one who introduced the 8 4 year maximum format.
