Key Takeaways:
– UCI President David Lappartient officially announces his bid for IOC Presidency, among seven candidates.
– The IOC election is scheduled for March during the 143rd IOC Session in Greece.
– Other notable nominees include World Athletics president Sebastian Coe and Zimbabwe Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry.
– The current IOC President Thomas Bach will not seek re-election when his term expires.
David Lappartient’s Olympic Ambitions
United Cycliste Internationale (UCI) President David Lappartient has officially stepped forward to express his intent to take over International Olympic Committee (IOC) Presidency from Thomas Bach. Lappartient joins a field of seven candidates set to participate in an election during the 143rd IOC Session. The highly anticipated session is due to take place in Greece this March.
Lappartient has been subtly hinting at his Olympic ambitions for a while now. The speculation regarding his presidential bid escalated last year when he assumed office as President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF). Through it all, he retained his position at UCI, dividing his time and efforts for both roles.
Candidate Announcement Mainstage
As recent as this weekend, Lappartient remained discreet about his candidacy. During an interview at the French Olympic ‘parade of champions’ held at the Champs-Élysées, he hinted at an impending announcement. He then directed attention to the forthcoming IOC press release, keeping his cards close to his chest until the official reveal.
Following the deadline for candidacy confirmations, the IOC announced Lappartient’s name among the seven nominees. Alongside him are notable personalities such as World Athletics president Sebastian Coe and Juan Antonio Samaranch, son of the former IOC president. Zimbabwe Minister of Sports, Kirsty Coventry, stands as the sole female candidate.
The candidacy list is rounded off by Morinari Watanabe, President of the International Gymnastics Federation, Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, and International Ski Federation President Johan Eliasch.
Thomas Bach’s Approach to the Presidency
Present IOC President, Thomas Bach, known for his eight-year term starting in 2013 and a subsequent re-election for a four-year term in 2021, has clarified that he won’t pursue another round in office. This announcement was made during the Paris 2024 Olympics, and Bach will officially step down once his term ends this coming March.
The selected candidates to succeed Bach are set to present their programs to IOC members in a private Lausanne gathering this January. The official election will then occur at the March IOC Session.
Lappartient’s Journey in the Sports World
The Frenchman navigated his way up to the role of UCI President, beginning with successfully earning a spot as President of the French Cycling Federation in 2009. His journey continued as he was then elected President of the European Cycling Union (UEC) in 2013. Lappartient further secured his position in the world of sports by defeating Brian Cookson to become UCI President at the 2017 Bergen World Championships. His unchallenged re-election occurred in Leuven in 2021, and his current term as UCI president will continue until 2025.
Looking Ahead
While Lappartient has yet to release his candidature document, his campaign seemingly emphasizes the successful organization of the quadrennial, multi-discipline cycling World Championships by UCI. The inaugural championship took place in Glasgow last year, drawing attention from spectators and critics alike.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, questions rose about Russian oligarch Igor Makarov’s participation in the UCI Management Committee. As recent as last year, Lappartient highlighted UCI alignement with the IOC stance regarding Russian and Belarus Olympic committees and their official entities.
Makarov had been named on several sanction lists from various governments following the invasion. Although he denounced his Russian citizenship in 2023 to become a citizen of Cyprus, Makarov remains a part of the UCI Management Committee to date. As the IOC presidency approaches, Lappartient’s decisions within the UCI are likely to impact his candidacy.