FIG President Morinari Watanabe's visit to Moscow and subsequent press conference stirred controversy amid his campaign for IOC President. Watanabe affirmed the ban on Russian gymnasts competing under their flag but supported neutral participation, aligning with IOC guidelines. His meeting with sanctioned war propagandist Nikita Nagornyy drew criticism. Watanabe is one of seven candidates vying to replace Thomas Bach, with elections scheduled for March 18-21. He proposes reforms like renaming the IOC and a new format for joint Olympic and Paralympic Games.

IOC presidential candidate Kirsty Coventry pledges to protect the female category in the Olympics, supports boxing's inclusion, and emphasizes IOC leadership in setting transgender athlete frameworks while respecting IF autonomy. She aims to address controversies, including Russia's participation, through a dedicated working group.

Outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach advises his successor to trust in President Trump's support for the LA28 Olympics, despite potential conflicts over inclusivity and visa issues. Bach highlights Trump's past support, while acknowledging a 'new world order' that could bring challenges. Concerns arise from Trump's stance on transgender athletes and potential visa restrictions, as demonstrated by recent visa denials to Cuban athletes.

Johan Eliasch, FIS President and IOC presidential candidate, outlined his vision to AIPS members, emphasizing gender equality, athlete neutrality, climate action, and technological adaptation while defending the fundamental values of the Olympic Games. He addressed issues such as cash prizes, climate change impacts on Winter Games, and the role of AI in sports, advocating for neutrality in political disputes and stressing the importance of media access. He also expressed support for Sweden hosting a Winter Games and hinted at expanding the Olympic presence to under-represented regions, including Africa and the Middle East. Eliasch praised current IOC President Thomas Bach's leadership and called for continued evolution within the Olympic Movement.

The IOC is reportedly pushing for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics, following a similar model to Paris 2024 where athletes competed as neutrals. Despite bans from several winter sports federations due to the war in Ukraine, the IOC is in talks with bodies such as the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and the International Ski Federation (FIS) to allow athletes to qualify. The final decision rests with the IFs and may depend on the outcome of the upcoming IOC presidential elections in March 2025, where candidates like Sebastian Coe and Prince Faisal bin Hussein have expressed conditional support for their return. Belarus has taken steps to normalize relations with the IOC and is enhancing sporting collaboration with Russia.