Next year, Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee, will retire. The election for a new President of the International Olympic Committee will take place in Greece. Recently, the International Olympic Committee announced the list of candidates for the new President, signaling the start of a campaign that will determine the future development of global sports.

The pivotal role of the IOC President. Influence far beyond the realm of sports. The International Olympic Committee, or IOC, was established on a certain date and is the leading body of the Olympic Movement, as well as the world's most influential sports organization. Over the years of development, the responsibilities and influence of the IOC have long since been confined to organizing the Olympic Games; instead, it has deeply engaged in the process of global governance, impacting the development and changes of international politics.

The President of the International Olympic Committee, as the leader of the organization, is of undeniable importance. The IOC President is responsible for overseeing all activities of the International Olympic Committee and exerts significant influence over key matters related to the Olympic Games and the IOC. For instance, during his eleven years at the helm of the IOC, Thomas Bach successfully guided the Olympic Games through unprecedented challenges such as the pandemic, climate change, and global unrest. Under Bach's leadership, the "Olympic Agenda" and the "New Norm" were introduced, aiming to reform the bidding process, reduce hosting costs, and enhance the appeal of the Olympic movement.

Multiple identities converge in one person. A qualified President of the IOC must not only be a sports expert but also a skilled diplomat adept in politics. Each major decision of the IOC can significantly impact the soft power of major countries globally. Therefore, the President of the IOC must possess the political wisdom and ability to balance the interests and demands of various countries.

With the "Bach era" coming to an end, the race to elect a successor has begun. It is foreseeable that whoever takes over will face an unprecedented level of difficulty in the role of the next IOC President. Negotiating new Olympic broadcasting agreements, assessing the impact of climate change, promoting global sports cooperation and the Olympic spirit, and facilitating the "Olympic Truce" amidst geopolitical turmoil... Therefore, those vying for this position are inevitably heavyweights deeply rooted in the Olympic domain.

Who is most likely to be the successor? On the date, the International Olympic Committee announced the list of seven new candidates for the presidency, including: Prince Faisal Al Hussein, Sebastian Coe, Kirsty Coventry, Johann Eliasch, David Lappartient, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. (Little Samaranch), and Shunichiro Watanabe. Overall, the three most competitive candidates are: Zimbabwean Olympic champion Coventry, Little Samaranch, the son of the IOC's Honorary Life President, and World Athletics President Coe.

Cross-border Success: Swimming Star Kirsty Coventry. Coventry is highly favored by current IOC President Bach, with significant advantages. She has many highlights, being a swimming star who has won Olympic medals and a successful representative of athletes "crossing over" into politics. Currently, Coventry serves as the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in Zimbabwe, as well as the Chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission and a member of the Executive Board. However, some believe that Coventry (aged ) is too young and somewhat lacking in political experience.

Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., born into a prominent family, carries a halo far brighter than others. As the son of Juan Antonio Samaranch, the Honorary Life President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and currently serving as the IOC Vice President, Samaranch Jr. has been working within the IOC since a young age, accumulating deep roots and a vast network of connections. He also served as the Chairman of the Coordination Commission for the Beijing Winter Olympics. Like his father, he has a strong affection for China and expressed his commitment to continuing the friendship between the Samaranch family and China. Samaranch Jr. highly praised the Beijing Winter Olympics, stating, "Beijing is like my second hometown."

Veteran IAAF President Co. World Athletics President Co is also a hot candidate among the successors. Co boasts an illustrious resume; he is not only a successful athlete but also an outstanding sports organization manager. In the year, Co served as the Chairman of the London Organizing Committee and successfully organized the London Olympics, earning him widespread acclaim. However, Co is older (age years) and has disagreements with some senior IOC officials, including Bach, which may hinder his candidacy.

The pool of candidates is becoming increasingly diverse. Counting the past presidents of the International Olympic Committee, including the current president Bach, all have been white males from European and American countries. Unlike previous times, the list of candidates announced this time is more diverse. The backgrounds are more varied. Three of the candidates come from non-European and American countries. Prince Hussein of Jordan is a former wrestler and rally car driver, and currently the president of the Jordan Olympic Committee. Morinari Watanabe from Japan is the first non-European president of the International Gymnastics Federation. Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe is hailed as "a true icon and pioneer in African swimming." Their participation may bring more voices from the Third World to the IOC, promoting the common development of global sports.

Candidates come from multiple continents. There is again a female candidate. Coventry is the only female candidate in this election, and the second woman in the history of the IOC to compete for the presidency. As an Olympic champion and political rising star from the Third World, Coventry not only has extensive international influence but has also made outstanding contributions to promoting gender equality and the development of sports. Her presence is expected to inject more female power and humanistic care into the IOC, driving the Olympic movement towards greater inclusivity, diversity, and sustainable development.

The candidate pool is rich and diverse. Among them, there are seasoned veterans as well as emerging Olympic newcomers. Among them, Co and Samaranch Jr. stand out for their deep qualifications and strong backgrounds. In contrast, Eliash and Rappartian are new faces who have become members of the International Olympic Committee in the past two years. Eliash is the president of the International Ski Federation, not only deeply knowledgeable in the sports field but also a former business tycoon who has long served as the head of a large sports goods company group. Rappartian is the chairman of the International Olympic Committee's eSports Commission, and he also holds the positions of president of the International Cycling Union and president of the French Olympic Committee. These candidates each bring unique characteristics, adding more suspense and interest to the election.

China, as an active participant and staunch supporter of the international Olympic movement, consistently upholds the Olympic motto of "Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together." Regardless of who is elected as the new President of the IOC, maintaining the original Olympic spirit, promoting the Olympic values, and enabling the Olympic movement to contribute to world peace and development, as well as advancing human unity and progress, are the shared aspirations of every member of the Olympic family.