Lord Coe Weighs Bid for IOC Presidency as Bach Announces Departure

World Athletics President Lord Coe has signaled that he will consider running for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) when the position becomes available in 2025. The current IOC President, Thomas Bach, confirmed over the weekend that he will step down from his role after 12 years in office.

Coe, who is currently serving his third term as president of World Athletics after running unopposed in 2023, stated, "I've always made it clear that if the opportunity arose I would obviously give it serious thought. The opportunity has arisen and clearly I need to think about that."

The new IOC president will be elected in March 2025, with the successful candidate taking office in June of that year. Under IOC regulations, potential candidates cannot officially announce their candidacy until three months before the election.

"The charter is pretty clear about timings here, so this is only, at best, a consideration," Coe added.

Coe's tenure with World Athletics includes notable achievements such as leading the successful bid for the 2012 London Olympics and overseeing the delivery of the Games. His experience and leadership in the athletics community make him a significant figure to watch as the IOC prepares for a new chapter.