Electing the new boss of the Olympics first required a grandly titled “sacred pilgrimage” to ancient Olympia – to pay homage to the birthplace of what’s become a multibillion-pound behemoth.
And after the pageantry comes pure politics.
The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) own Conclave is taking place today – the most-contested presidential election in its history after a campaign cloaked in secrecy.
Those running for the presidency have been impeded by a labyrinth of rules. They can give the impression of limiting opportunities for the most confident of the orators and most experienced sports leader in the contest – Lord Sebastian Coe – from outshining rivals more favoured by the IOC establishment.
It has been a contest where his policies have stood out from the field.
He is the first advocate of a blanket ban on transgender women competing in women’s sports – endorsing US President Donald Trump’s stance ahead of LA hosting the 2028 Olympics.
And Lord Coe is the only contender defying Thomas Bach’s current IOC leadership by calling for Olympic medallists to receive money.
But being a disruptor could harm his chances in a contest where open debate has been banned.
Even the only formal presentations allowed to voters were held in private in January, with attendees forced to hand in their phones just as they will for today’s vote at the luxury Greek resort of Costa Navarino.
The election has been forced into the shadows, while the Olympics are trying to maintain relevance with young audiences by having visibility.
Lord Coe has already called for a “more open and expansive process” in future.
The winner will be only the 10th president in the 131-year history of the IOC.
Pic: Reuters
Coe’s main rivals
The main threat to Lord Coe becoming the first Briton to lead the Olympic movement is considered to come from current IOC vice president Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr and double Olympic champion swimmer Kirsty Coventry.
Now Zimbabwe’s sports minister, she is trying to become the first African and first woman to serve in perhaps the most powerful job in sport.
“Let’s create some change, let’s make sure that happens,” said the 41-year-old.
Kirsty Coventry, double Olympic champion swimmer and now Zimbabwe’s sports minister. Pic: Reuters
Lord Coe, at 68, is the oldest candidate.
But not only is he also a double Olympic champion in middle-distance running, he went on to win the bid for London 2012 and oversee the organisation.
Then he went tougher than most in sport on Russia over a mass doping scandal after being elected World Athletics President a decade ago.
Add into that his political career with the Conservatives at Westminster and running a sports marketing firm.
Mr Samaranch, a Spanish financier, can tout his business credentials while clearly being the establishment candidate – with his father previously leading the IOC for 21 years.
Both Mr Samaranch and Ms Coventry have indicated there are issues around fairness if the women’s sports category is not protected.
They have not been clear how that would be achieved given the IOC has been leaving it for individual sports to decide on eligibility.
Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, a Spanish financier whose father previously ran the IOC. Pic: Reuters
Outsiders
There is another British candidate: Johan Eliasch, who also holds Swedish citizenship.
Despite leading the international ski federation since 2021, he has only been an IOC member since last year after becoming a billionaire through sportswear firm Head.
Johan Eliasch, the president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. Pic: Reuters
David Lappartient, the French cycling federation president, has already taken the IOC into a new era by overseeing the launch of the Olympic Esports Games that are due to be staged in Saudi Arabia.
David Lappartient, French cycling federation president who oversaw the launch of Olympic Esports. Pic: Reuters
Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan hopes to bring the main Summer Olympics to the Middle East for the first time by shifting the Games from the fierce summer heat in the region.
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Olympics: Prince running for top job
Morinari Watanabe, the Japanese head of gymnastics globally, has proposed staging a single Olympics across the world to provide 24 hours of rolling sports coverage.
Morinari Watanabe, Japanese head of gymnastics globally. Pic: Reuters
The vote
There will be no final presentation of manifestos before the vote that starts at 2pm UK time until a candidate has an absolute majority.
The voters are the 109 people from sport, business, finance and royalty chosen to be IOC members, including Princess Anne and Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani.
Members are not allowed to vote if any compatriots are still in the running. Candidates can vote for themselves.
There won’t be a running tally of votes announced between rounds with only the candidate knocked out announced.
The winner officially starts on Olympic Day on 23 June when Bach completes his maximum permitted 12 years in office before assuming the newly elected honorary role of life president.
Read more:
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Eliasch warns LA to prepare better for climate crises
The future
This is a rare vote in IOC circles. The hotly contested hosting votes have been replaced by behind-the-scenes deals that are only ratified by the IOC Session.
Where games go confers great prestige on a country, giving much power to the IOC president to use their influence on the process.
The 2036 Summer Games are the next to be awarded – with potential interest from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, India and Turkey.
A decision could also be required on whether to allow Russia’s readmission to the Olympics if the war on Ukraine ends.
