Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), will resign as a member of the body when he hands over power to his successor in June.
Bach announced last year he would step down from his post after 12 years, triggering a search for a suitable successor.
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A new president is set to be elected at the IOC session on March 20, with Bach’s resignation becoming official on June 23.
The 71-year-old could have remained a committee member until 2033, when he turns 80, having first joined in 1991. However, the IOC confirmed Bach had chosen not to remain after ending his presidency.
It stated: “The IOC Executive Board today agreed to accept the resignation of IOC president Thomas Bach as an IOC member, effective after 23 June 2025.”
Seven candidates are vying to replace Bach, including World Athletics chief executive Sebastian Coe and Olympic swimming champion and Zimbabwe sports minister Kirsty Coventry.
Other contenders include Juan Antonio Samaranch, son of the former IOC president, International Cycling Union president David Lappartient, Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, International Gymnastics Federation head Morinari Watanabe, and International Ski Federation leader Johan Eliasch.
Bach’s announcement last year that he would not run for re-election after the conclusion of his second term came despite reports that the IOC was looking into changing its statutes to allow him to stay on for a third term
Currently, the president is limited to two terms totaling 12 years (eight years followed by four years).
Bach became the ninth president after being elected in 2013 and secured a second term in 2021.
During his tenure, Bach guided the IOC through three summer and three Winter Olympics, including the Covid-delayed Tokyo games in 2021.
