Thomas Bach zu Trump, Trans-Athletes, Putin and Olympics in times of crisis
Thomas Bach zu Trump, Trans-Athletes, Putin and Olympics in times of crisis
The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, experienced some of the most turbulent times in the Olympic movement life during his 12-year term. In the middle of a global pandemic and a scandalous, state -funded doping in Russia, he has always emphasized that it is important to keep the Olympic Games away from political influences. While he is preparing to hand over the baton to his successor, his urgent appeal remains to the future leaders: the games must remain apolitical.
Bach's vision for the Olympic Games
Bach has a clear message to his successors: "Sport has to be politically neutral, otherwise we cannot fulfill our mission to bring the whole world together." In an exclusive interview with cnn sports he was optimistic about the unity of athletes who lived together peacefully during the Olympic Games in Paris - including athletes from Russia, Palestine, Israel and Yemen. "Despite the many wars and crises in this world, these athletes have set a sign of peace," said Bach.
The challenge of the upcoming games
With the upcoming Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, the games are faced with an uncertain political landscape in the United States. The division of the company is reinforced by the controversial government under President Donald Trump, whose direct and often disruptive leadership contradicts the diplomatic mission of the IOC. Nevertheless, Bach is confident that Trump will support the intentions of the games because he experienced him as a motorcyclist for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
sport and cultural fights
Despite this support, it becomes clear that athletes are not immune under Trump's political strategies. Trump's move is particularly controversial to exclude transgender women from women's competitions. This is one of the currently sharpest debates in sports that also affects the Olympic Games. Bach's challenge will be to convey understanding and facts in this emotionally charged discussion to defend the rights of all athletes.confrontation with controversial leaders
In his time as IOC President, Bach had to deal with athletes not only with athletes, but also with controversial political leaders. During the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, he had a "very good relationship" with Vladimir Putin, but this was heavily burdened by the uncovered doping scandal and Russia's military intervention in Ukraine. Bach states: "The relationship got worse and after the invasion we had to take new measures."
With the upcoming handover of the IOC Presidential Office to his successor, Bach urgently encourages Bach to protect the values of sport in order to create a safe and fair environment for all athletes. "I believe that the exams of sport make us strong and bring us closer together," concludes Bach.