The members of the IOC will have to get used to this: health crisis obliges them, their Olympic activities are now becoming virtual. Without the slightest surprise, the international body announced Wednesday, January 27, at the end of the online meeting of its executive committee, that the next session would take place in virtual mode. It was initially scheduled for March 10-12, 2021 in Athens. But travel and assembly restrictions do not allow its organisation with a presence of members in the Greek capital. The IOC session is maintained on its original dates, but it will take place online, remotely. It will be marked by the announced re-election of Thomas Bach to a second term as president, for a final period of four years. The German leader is the only candidate for his succession. The IOC Executive Board also decided, on Wednesday January 27, to propose Athens as the host city of the session in 2025. A form of compensation, which will have to be approved by the members of the body during the session in March next. In 2025, the Olympic organisation will once again be reunited for a major election, as it will be a question of appointing a replacement for Thomas Bach. The former German fencer, now 67 years old, will then have reached the age limit (70 years), and will no longer be able to run for the supreme position within the Olympic body. As a reminder, the last IOC session, in July 2020, was already held in virtual mode.
