Polish President Andrzej Duda Intends to Run for IOC Presidency

Polish President Andrzej Duda has announced his intention to apply for the position of President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after his term as head of state concludes in 2025. This news was shared by former Polish President Alexander Kwasniewski, who expressed skepticism about Duda’s prospects.

«Andrzej Duda is looking for something to do after his presidency. But I advise him to look for something more realistic,» Kwasniewski said. He pointed out that the IOC has specific rules for selecting its members and president, which typically favor former athletes, coaches, and Olympians. «There is a small loophole that a politician could exploit, but this is just theoretical. If the politician organized or significantly contributed to the Olympics… But as you know, there were no Olympics in Poland,» Kwasniewski added.

Duda, currently serving his second term as president, is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in the 2025 elections. As his tenure draws to a close, the upcoming election for the IOC presidency, set for 2025, has become a potential next step for him.

This development adds another intriguing candidate to the race for IOC President, as Sebastian Coe, the President of World Athletics, has also expressed his interest in the role. Coe, a two-time Olympic champion and leader of the 2012 London Olympics Organizing Committee, brings a wealth of Olympic experience to the table. «I’ve been deeply involved in the Olympic movement for most of my life,» Coe said, signaling his readiness to take on the challenge.

The race to succeed current IOC President Thomas Bach, who announced he will not seek re-election after his term ends in 2025, is shaping up to be highly competitive. With Duda and Coe both eyeing the top position, the future leadership of the IOC could take various directions, depending on the organization’s priorities and the qualities they seek in their next president.

Photo credit: EPA-EFE/Lukasz Gagulski