Candidate for the presidency of the IOC, Juan Antonio Samaranch was visiting Harbin in recent days as part of the 2025 Asian Winter Games. The Spaniard took the opportunity to recall certain points of his program with a view to the election next month, particularly in terms of governance. "Members must have the power to decide which cities host the Games. Members must be able to participate in the design and discussion of the IOC's main policies", he insisted to the agency Xinhua. The 65-year-old candidate also recalled his proposal of extend the age limit of members of the instance at 75 years old. « Being 70 today is like being 60 25 years ago, when this policy was put in place, he explains. I think we lose a lot of people who come to the IOC late, because they have to go through their international federation, their national Olympic committee or their sport. That's a waste of talent that we cannot afford." The rule currently states that the IOC Session may decide to extend a member's term of office only once, for four years maximum, beyond the limit aged 70.
