Before IOC Presidential Race, Bach Emphasizes Unity and Political Neutrality
Outgoing International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach highlighted the importance of unity and political neutrality on Monday, emphasizing their role in protecting the future of the Olympic Movement. His comments were made prior to...
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Outgoing International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach highlighted the importance of unity and political neutrality on Monday, emphasizing their role in protecting the future of the Olympic Movement.
His comments were made prior to the Opening Ceremony of the IOC's 144th Session at the historical site of Olympia, where a new IOC President will be elected on Thursday.
Referencing Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Movement, Bach characterized the upcoming event as a significant moment both symbolically and pragmatically.
"Pierre de Coubertin said, and I quote, the Olympic Games are always a pilgrimage to the past and an act of faith in the future. This is what we are about to do," he said. "Tomorrow, we will begin our pilgrimage to the past. Then, we will perform acts of faith in the brilliant future of the Olympic Movement."
When asked about advice for his successor, Bach identified two essential priorities. "First, keep putting athletes at the heart of the Olympic Movement. Second, preserve the unity of the Olympic Family," he stated, noting that he will step down in June. "Unity does not mean everyone must have the same opinion. It means all are committed to the same values."
To foster this unity, Bach proposed two key principles. The first is solidarity. "Every member – particularly every Olympic Committee – must be treated equally, must have access to the benefits of the Olympic Movement, and must have the chance to develop, to grow," he asserted. "We must close the gap between privileged and less-privileged Olympic Committees. Each must not only have a voice, but a vote."
The second principle is political neutrality. Bach cautioned against the influence of "emerging geopolitical blocs to pull the Olympic Movement to their side," especially as tensions escalate in a multipolar world.
"If the IOC takes the position in favor of one or the other, the Olympic Movement would be torn apart. It would not be a global movement anymore. It will just be an instrument, another tool for politics to divide this world even more," he warned.
Aarav Patel contributed to this article for TROIB News
His comments were made prior to the Opening Ceremony of the IOC's 144th Session at the historical site of Olympia, where a new IOC President will be elected on Thursday.
Referencing Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Movement, Bach characterized the upcoming event as a significant moment both symbolically and pragmatically.
"Pierre de Coubertin said, and I quote, the Olympic Games are always a pilgrimage to the past and an act of faith in the future. This is what we are about to do," he said. "Tomorrow, we will begin our pilgrimage to the past. Then, we will perform acts of faith in the brilliant future of the Olympic Movement."
When asked about advice for his successor, Bach identified two essential priorities. "First, keep putting athletes at the heart of the Olympic Movement. Second, preserve the unity of the Olympic Family," he stated, noting that he will step down in June. "Unity does not mean everyone must have the same opinion. It means all are committed to the same values."
To foster this unity, Bach proposed two key principles. The first is solidarity. "Every member – particularly every Olympic Committee – must be treated equally, must have access to the benefits of the Olympic Movement, and must have the chance to develop, to grow," he asserted. "We must close the gap between privileged and less-privileged Olympic Committees. Each must not only have a voice, but a vote."
The second principle is political neutrality. Bach cautioned against the influence of "emerging geopolitical blocs to pull the Olympic Movement to their side," especially as tensions escalate in a multipolar world.
"If the IOC takes the position in favor of one or the other, the Olympic Movement would be torn apart. It would not be a global movement anymore. It will just be an instrument, another tool for politics to divide this world even more," he warned.
Aarav Patel contributed to this article for TROIB News
