The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Thomas Bach as the organization’s new president, the ninth in the history of the IOC, on Tuesday after he won an election for the position earlier in the day.
IOC elects Thomas Bach as president
Thomas Bach, a gold medalist in the 1976 Summer Olympics, will serve as president of the International Olympic Committee.
Scott Halleran
Bach, 59, previously served as the president of the German National Olympic Committee and headed Munich’s bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics, which were instead awarded to Pyeongchang, South Korea. Bach was a fencing gold medalist in the 1976 Summer Olympics, winning in the team foil event.
According to Patrick Sandusky of the United States Olympic Committee, Bach announced on Tuesday that his theme as president will be: “Unity through diversity.”
Bach will replace Count Jacques Rogge, who served as the IOC president for 12 years after he was elected to the position in 2001. As president, Bach is scheduled to serve an eight-year term and will have the option to run for an additional four-year term in 2021.
The IOC also announced on Tuesday the addition of nine new members, including Larry Probst of the United States. Probst currently serves as executive chairman of Electronic Arts.
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