“Change or be changed”, said Tomas Bach during the IOC’s 142nd Session on Saturday, in which he announced plans to step down as president no later than next year, after admitting that “I am not the best captain. New times are calling for new leaders.”

Much speculation surrounded the German sports official's future, whose official mandate began in September 2013, especially regarding possible successors with current World Athletics president Sebastian Coe a front runner, even though the Briton has declined to comment on the matter.

Bach himself dodged questions about Coe as his replacement during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games which are scheduled to end on Sunday, and his evasiveness even led the media to further speculation that he might, in the end, give it another go-round.

That possibility was put to bed on Saturday as he finally declined the option to remain in charge for a third term.

"I know with this decision I am disappointing many of you....but it is in the best interests of our beloved Olympic movement," argued the 70-year-old lawyer.

Bach also revealed that he was asked to stay in his role but preferred to not extend his mandate by changing the Olympic charter’s 12-year presidency limit which was introduced as part of anti-corruption reforms passed after the Salt Lake City bidding scandal 25 years ago.

Besides Coe, former Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry has been pointed out as a possible alternative, and some insiders have also thrown the name of South African Caster Semenya, the former track star who was involved in a gender row, the ramifications of which are still being settled in court.

The Associated Press reported other candidates that would include several members of the IOC’s executive board like vice presidents Nicole Hoevertsz of Aruba and Juan Antonio Samaranch of Spain, the son of the former IOC president for 21 years. Juan Antonio Samaranch, the father, left office in 2001 after the Salt Lake City controversy and died in 2010. Board member Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan is another possible nominee.

As for Coe, Bach and the Briton have seldom seen eye-to-eye, most notably on the latest prize-money initiative by World Athletics, which the IOC leadership frowned upon. Coe is also currently 68 years old, two shy of the age limit set for elected members since the Salt Lake City reforms.

On the other hand, David Lappartient, the president of the International Cycling Union, has been featured quite prominently next to Bach at Paris events and has led the IOC’s initiative to promote an Esports Olympic Games deal with Saudi Arabia, as well as the recently-approved French Alps bid for the 2030 Winter Games.

Bach said new elections were scheduled to be held from March 18-21 in Greece when the 115-strong IOC membership will next meet, and the next IOC boss would then officially succeed him on 24 June 2025.

“In order to safeguard the credibility of the IOC we all, and in particular I as your president, have to respect the highest standards of good governance we have set for ourselves,” he stated.

During the 142nd Session, Bach insisted on the need for new leadership that could better take on many of the challenges of an increasingly digital and politically pressured world as well as “the need to establish dialogue” with all regions of the world. 

“In our Olympic world, there is not a global south or global north. I will also be at your disposal with all my passion for our beloved Olympic movement,” the former fencer concluded.