Challenges for the next IOC president: geopolitics and gender policy

Challenges for the next IOC president: geopolitics and gender policy

It is the most influential position in international sport, with enormous risks, high expectations and far -reaching consequences. The owner of this role has a great influence on the design of the global sports events and tells its narrative, has extraordinary political weight and leads a budget in billions

choice of the new IOC president

On Thursday, one of seven candidates is elected to take responsibility as the tenth President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This happens through the over 100 members of the IOC . The new president follows in the footsteps of the outgoing President Thomas Bach, who led one of the most remarkable phases in the history of the Olympic movement in his 12 years.

The successor of Bach- which will be officially adopted in June -comes at a time global geopolitical uncertainties, with questions about the direction of the Olympic movement in the 21st century and more focus than ever on topics such as gender identity and equality.

reintegration of athletes from Russia and Belarus

With less than a year until the winter games 2026 in Milan-Cortina, one of the first tasks will be whether and how Russian and Belarusian athletes can be integrated into the Olympic Community again.

After the extensive invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, the IOC imposed a general ban on participation for athletes from both countries. However, the organization approved a little more than a year later in CNN Sports that future decisions should be made in the best interest of the athletes and not their nationality or geopolitical events. He emphasized: "It's not about Russia. It's about the athletes. Anyone who follows the rules must have the right to take part in the Olympic Games, point."

Russia has already stated that it will be fighting for his participation in 2026, while the Ukraine asked the Olympic Committee to And to keep Russian and Belarusian athletes away . The qualification events are already running and the conflict in Ukraine continues, which is why quick action is required.

The challenges under the Trump Presidency

Another challenge will be the political landscape under the controversial Trump administration during the preparation time for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. While Bach presented the relationship between the IOC and President Donald Trump as positive, Trump's direct and disruptive leadership style could be an enormous stress test.

Trump, more than any other head of state of the past games, will want to push his own stamp on the event. As head of state of the hosts, he is expected to officially open the Summer Olympics on July 14, 2028.

The CNN sports analyst Christine Brennan commented: “Donald Trump becomes the most important figure outside the Olympic movement. This is a man who loves sport and wants to get involved in every conceivable way.

Trump has already indicated that visas for certain athletes made from LA-oriented athletes due to their nationality and the interpretation of gender identity could be denied by the government. access to the USA has already been denied Relationships between the United States and a few Allies have deteriorated, the next IOC President will have to find a narrow line between the preservation of neutrality and universal participation as well as a pragmatic approach to ensure that all 206 National Olympic Committee, including the refugee Olympic team, are represented in the athlete village.