IOC president Bach eyes third term

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has hinted that he is willing to stay on despite his term coming to an end in 2025.

The Olympic Charter states that a president cannot stay in the post for longer than 12 years. But some members of the IOC want to change the statues to allow the 69-year-old German to stand again.

“I had heard some rumours before that some members want me to continue my mandate,” he told a news conference on Monday at the IOC Session in Mumbai.

“I believe this is human that I was really touched and appreciated very much this show of support and friendship. For this reason it is a matter of mutual respect…that you do not dismiss such a sign.”

The former Olympic fencer was asked by reporters if it was a bad look for him to try to change the rules and stay on.

Bach responded that many IOC members wanted to avoid an election campaign in the run-up to the Paris 2024 Games next July and August.

World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe has been mooted as a potential rival for the IOC’s top job.