Paris 2024: IOC president Thomas Bach's last Games... unless the Olympic Charter is amended

German Thomas Bach, born on 29/12/1953, Olympic foil team champion with West Germany at the Montreal Games (CAN) in 1976, was elected president of the International Olympic Committee for eight years on 10/09/2013. He was re-elected for four years at the 137^th IOC Session on 10/03/2021.

"The Session (IOC general assembly) elects, by secret ballot, a president from among its members for a term of eight years renewable once for four years," provides article 20, paragraph 1 of the Olympic Charter (document available to download).

Thomas Bach's presidency is therefore due to end in 2025. The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will therefore be the German leader's last as president of the IOC, however several members of the body are calling for his presidency to be extended.

"In these difficult times, we need a boat captain who has all the necessary experience. The Olympic movement needs stability," said Mustapha Berraf (ALG), president of ANOCA (Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa) at the 141^st IOC Session in Mumbai (IND) on 15/10/2023.

While awaiting a possible amendment to the…