BERLIN, Dec. 27 (dpa/EP) –
The president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, is clear that sport is not apolitical, but at the same time insists that “it must be politically neutral” and that is why Russians and Belarusians will be allowed to compete next summer in the Paris Olympic Games, as neutrals and under strict conditions.
Although this decision of the IOC has been rebuked even by Russia and Ukraine, Bach told the newspaper 'Welt am Sonntag' that their measure “obviously” shows them to have “achieved a good balance” and that the criticism “is pure political war propaganda that exposes itself.”
More than 40 years of experience in sports policy in Germany and at the IOC have helped Bach navigate difficult terrain and establish himself as a leader such that IOC members have called for revising the Olympic Charter to allow him to remain in office, more beyond the 12 years currently allowed, when his term ends in 2025.
During his interview, Bach was loyal to the Olympic Charter, but “from a personal point of view” he also picked up the gauntlet to run again. “I'd rather this than everyone not being able to wait for the day the 'old man' finally leaves,” he said.
The president of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), Thomas Weikert, recently assured the DPA news agency that he would not be surprised if Bach obtained the mandate to run for president again in 2025.
“Bach has reformed the IOC and the Olympic Movement, and prepared them for the future in terms of content and economics,” Weikert said. However, the current president of the IOC has received criticism apart from his decisions after the war caused by Russia on Ukrainian soil.
“Of course it is not pleasant that in some sectors they see you like this, especially in your country of origin. I have realized that if you don't read something about Germany, the world keeps turning,” said Bach himself in his interview.