Preserving Olympics' independence key in Samaranch's presidential bid

Sitting Vice President of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch said the next IOC head will need to keep the Olympic Movement free from political interference — a position for which he believes he has experience and judgment.

The seasoned member of the organisation is one of the seven candidates who hope to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC President in March 2025.

Samaranch joined the IOC executive committee in 2012 and has served as its vice president twice; from 2016-2020 and from 2022 up to the present. He is also the son of a former IOC president —by the same name— and if elected they would be the first father and son to serve as head of the organisation. 

The Spaniard has a wealth of experience in the Olympic landscape; serving on several organising committees for the Olympics including Beijing, Sochi and Turin, overseeing decisions involving athletes' doping and has seen the Olympic Channel enter its digital age. 

As Chair of Olympic Channel Services, the platform saw record growth across all platforms, with more content being produced for video and social to reach younger viewers. The organisation strove to reach a wider audience and expanded the language offerings of its content within the website and mobile app. 

Samaranch said that the change the organisation is undergoing has been swift and will need someone with his internal expertise to manage the complexities of continuing to move forward into the 21st century. He confessed in an interview with Marca that he has the roadmap already “well thought out”. 

The former Vice President of the International Federation of Modern Pentathlon and marathon runner said the organisation must find new ways of understanding sport and look for new opportunities. The IOC also must keep up with constantly changing technology and evaluate the risks that may arise in the future. 

Above all, the IOC’s independence must be maintained to remain a global reference in the world of sport, and its loss could have serious consequences for the credibility and trust in the IOC.

In honour of his father, he founded the Samaranch Foundation in 2012 to popularize the Olympic Games in China and promote the Olympic Culture and Values in the country. Established in Beijing, the foundation now also works in Shanghai, Chengdu and Harbin with offices in Spain as well. 

In March, Samaranch will go against six notable candidates during the IOC presidential elections from 18 to 21 March in Greece. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, Morinori Watanabe, the top official at the International Gymnastics Federation and Kirsty Coventry from the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission are some of the forerunners that he is up against. 

Bach is expected to stay on until June 2025 to ensure a smooth transition.