COSTA NAVARINO, Greece, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The race to elect the 10th president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is reaching its decisive stage with no clear frontrunner, and IOC members prepare to cast their ballots on Thursday.
Set against the scenic backdrop of the Ionian Sea, the election has entered its final phase, with IOC members gathering for the 144th Session - the last under outgoing president Thomas Bach. As the candidates make their final appeals, discussions among members continue, reflecting the significance of this decision for the future of the Olympic Movement.
Despite media speculation, no candidate appears to have an outright advantage, making this one of the most unpredictable IOC elections in recent history.
"This is an intense election, and everyone is carefully evaluating their choices. Each candidate has their own strength," said IOC Executive Board member Li Lingwei from China.
David Lappartient, 51, one of the seven candidates and the president of the International Cycling Union (UCI) and French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), expects the race to go deep into the voting rounds.
"I think it's moving fast, but I'm still in the race," he said, comparing the election to a cycling peloton. "No one can predict the result, and I believe it will take multiple rounds before we have a winner."
Meanwhile, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., one of the widely mentioned contenders, stressed the secrecy of the ballot and the independence of each IOC member's vote.
"It's very easy to mistake a smile for a vote, a friendship for a vote, a nice word for a vote," the 65-year-old Spaniard said, adding that the final decision will only be known when the real votes are cast.
"I can promise you that I will be working until the very last second - until 3:59 p.m. tomorrow - before the voting starts," he added.
With over 100 ballots set to be cast, the election will follow a secret ballot system. If no candidate secures an absolute majority in the first round, the lowest-scoring candidate will be eliminated, triggering another round of voting. The process will continue until one candidate emerges victorious.
Another high-profile candidate, Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, refused to speak to the media before the final day. As he left the mixed zone, he only briefly remarked to journalists: "I'm still here."
Kirsty Coventry, another contender who also chose to remain silent, is the only female candidate and the first African to run for the position. The 41-year-old swimming legend from Zimbabwe has been widely speculated to be Bach's preferred successor.
Prince Feisal bin Hussein, one of the seven candidates and a member of the IOC Executive Board, expressed confidence but acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the vote.
"I'm in it to win it," he said. "But at the end of the day, it's the members who decide. If they have the same confidence in me that I have in myself, then hopefully, I will be president."
Other candidates Johan Eliasch and Morinari Watanabe did not speculate. Japanese Watanabe, head of the International Gymnastics Federation, smiled and simply said: "I am waiting," while Eliasch, president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, added: "We shall see tomorrow."
Beyond the immediate contest for the presidency, the new IOC leader will face significant challenges, including political neutrality, financial sustainability, gender equity, and adapting to digital transformation. Climate change also remains a pressing concern, particularly for the future of the Winter Games.
Frances's IOC member Martin Fourcade emphasized that the next president must possess strong leadership and vision.
"The new president must not only have leadership skills but also be able to balance different interests while promoting fairness and sustainability in the Olympic Games," said the six-time Olympic champion.
As the final hours before the election unfold, discussions continue behind closed doors. Candidates are making their last efforts to appeal to undecided voters, and IOC members are weighing their choices carefully.
"No matter who wins, this election will be a historic milestone for the Olympic movement," said Li Lingwei. ■
