"Farewell, but Not Goodbye" - Thomas Bach Embraces his Honorary Role as IOC President
IOC Chairman Tom Bach becomes visibly emotional during uncommon ceremony
Marking the end of an era, Thomas Bach, the beloved German head of the global sports scene, is embracing a new position within the Olympic organization - Honorary President. Following his departure as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Chairman, Bach was honored with this esteemed title during the 144th Session, becoming the second IOC boss to achieve this distinction.
The assembled members raised a collective cheer, approving a proposal by IOC Vice President Nicole Hoevertsz, after a stirring speech praising Bach's visionary leadership. As tears threatened to spill, a visibly moved Bach expressed his gratitude and humility, stating, "I am grateful for your words. I am filled with humility. There is something more important than honor: friendship."
As the new honorary presidency begins on June 24th, the election for the next IOC chief at the session in Greek Costa Navarino looms. Hoevertsz praised Bach's 34 years in the IOC, admitting, "We owe him so much more than just gratitude."
Bach's Controversial Legacy
Bach has been a divisive figure throughout the last decade, especially in his home country, where criticism persists. Allegations of closeness to autocrats like Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as questionable handling of human rights issues in Olympic host nations and an excessive concentration of power in the IOC leadership, have plagued his reputation.
During his tenure, Bach faced fierce criticism for the Russian doping scandal and the fallout from Putin's propaganda-filled Winter Olympics in Sochi 2014. However, the Russian doping scandal and the attack on Ukraine added burdens to Bach's presidency, requiring long justifications of his lenient treatment of Russia.
A New Chapter unfolds
Whether you loved him or criticized him, Bach has unquestionably left a lasting impact on the world of sports. As he prepares for retirement, the IOC and the world of sports eagerly anticipate who will step up to fill his role. The next chapter for world sports is just beginning.
Source: ntv.de, tsi/sid/dpa
- Thomas Bach
- IOC
[1] Olympic.org. (n.d.). Thomas Bach - The IOC President. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from https://www.olympic.org/thomas-bach[2] Meenaghan, D. (2021, December 15). Thomas Bach's Olympic Legacy: Highlights, Lowlights and the Controversial Decisions on doping, politics and human rights. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from https://theconversation.com/thomas-bachs-olympic-legacy-highlights-lowlights-and-the-controversial-decisions-on-doping-politics-and-human-rights-181727[3] The New York Times. (2021, December 6). What Will the Olympic Movement Look Like After Thomas Bach? Retrieved April 12, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/06/sports/olympics/thomas-bach-olympic-legacy.html
- The 144th Session of the European Parliament, where Thomas Bach was recognized as an Honorary IOC President, saw numerous countries express their admiration for his impact on the global sports scene, despite the controversial discussions surrounding his legacy.
- In his new role as Honorary President, Thomas Bach will not be engaged in day-to-day matters, but he has declared his readiness to provide advice and guidance when needed, much like a WatsApp group moderator might.
- As the European Parliament rewinds the chapter of Thomas Bach's tenure, they can't help but wonder about the challenges that will arise in the handling of the next IOC leadership, particularly in light of the disputes that have marked his eight-year tenure as IOC Chairman.
