Jess Fox praises Thomas Bach as race to become next IOC president heats up

Tense final hours as seven candidates vie to replace Thomas Bach as president of the International Olympic Committee while more than 100 members give thanks for his leadership in a two hour homage.

Olympic gold medallist Jess Fox praised outgoing IOC head Thomas Bach. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

Australia’s champion canoeist Jess Fox gave outgoing International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach a ringing endorsement of his 12 years of leadership as she and other members delivered a near two hour thank you to the German Olympic fencer.

Ms Fox, who is on the IOC as an elected athletes representative, told the other 108 IOC members that Mr Bach had provided her with her own “defining moment to take on athlete representative roles’’ when she was asked to contribute to ideas for reform of the Olympic movement back in 2014.

On Wednesday afternoon the IOC members gave Mr Bach, 71, a standing ovation and elected him to be honorary president for life when he steps down in three months time.

His successor will be elected in the early hours of Friday, Australian time, during the second day of the IOC session being held at a luxury resort in Costa Navarino in Greece.

Seven candidates are standing for election, a situation which long serving IOC member Dick Pound, of Canada, said was “lucky”.

“We’ve got seven people who are prepared to stand up and take on leadership in a very difficult world,’’ he said.

Outgoing International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach. Picture: AFP

“And these days it’s not glory. It’s tough. It’s 7, 24, 365 work for eight years …. If you’re the incoming president, you’re going to have to deal with the Putins, the Trumps, the Xis, all of whom are in some respects pulling in different ways.”

World Athletics chairman and Olympic gold distance runner, Sebastian Coe, Zimbabwe’s champion swimmer Kirsty Coventry and Spanish banker Juan Antonio Samaranch, the son of a previous IOC president, are considered the heavyweight favourites.

Prince Faisel Al-Hussein, from the Jordanian royal family, along with the French president of the International Cycling Union, David Lappartient, the Japanese head of the International Gymnastics Federation Moriani Watanabe and the president of International Ski and Snowboard Federation, Johan Eliasch are also in the race.

Canadian Dick Pound. Picture: AFP

Spanish banker Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. Picture: AFP

Mr Lappartient said the election was “wide open” and he believed he was still in contention to win.

In the final hours there has been some controversy surrounding Mr Samaranch’s family foundation, honouring his father of the same name, which was set up 12 years ago in China. Two of the foundation board members who are IOC members are eligible to vote in the election.

“It is within the rules,’’ Mr Samaranch said, adding “I wish it would be an advantage but I don’t think that is going to be the case’’.

Ms Fox, a triple Olympic medallist, was one of the dozens of speakers, congratulating Mr Bach for his stewardship. She focused on his implementation of reforms of the organisation to strengthen the importance of athlete voices.

Zimbabwe’s champion swimmer Kirsty Coventry. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay

David Lappartient of France. Picture: AFP

She told him: “The reforms you have led have strengthened our roles, ensured the athletes remain at the heart of the Olympics, but above your incredible leadership, it is your human side.”

She added that everyone in the room can feel the support and respect for athletes and that Mr Bach’s commitment to elevate athlete voices has been “profound”.

Mr Bach appeared touched by her comments, holding his hands together and then clutching his heart.

He told the seven candidates that he would be at the end of the phone for advice if they required it but would not impose himself.

“I take this role (of honorary president) from you today not as only as an honour, but there are more important things in life than honours. The more important thing in life is friendship,’’ he said.