IOC presidential candidates address the contentious issue of transgender athletes' participation in women's sports, ahead of the election on March 20, 2025. Candidates including Morinari Watanabe, Feisal Al Hussein, David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Sebastian Coe, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., and Kirsty Coventry express a consensus around the need to protect women's sports while differing on the approach. The debate is fueled by scientific studies indicating persistent physical advantages for transgender women, and high-profile cases such as Caster Semenya, Lia Thomas, and Imane Khelif. Donald Trump's executive order banning transgender women from women's sports in federally funded institutions adds further complexity, with potential implications for the IOC's policies and the participation of transgender athletes in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Seven candidates, including Sebastian Coe, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., David Lappartient, Kirsty Coventry, Prince Feisal Al-Hussein, Johan Eliasch, and Morinari Watanabe, are vying to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC President. The election in 2025 will determine the IOC's direction, focusing on inclusion, sustainability, and modernization amidst global challenges.

The IOC Executive Board approved a new partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal extending media rights through 2036 for USD 3 billion. The partnership includes innovative strategic initiatives and projects. Also, the IOC and Allianz extended their Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partnership through 2032. IOC President Thomas Bach met with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) President, and the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children. IOC Member Denis Oswald was awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honour, and the IOC welcomed the Political Declaration adopted by the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).

The International Olympic Committee will elect its 10th president on March 20, 2025, during the 144th IOC Session held in Costa Navarino and Olympia, Greece, from March 18-21. Seven candidates, including Prince Feisal Al Hussein, David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Kirsty Coventry, Lord Sebastian Coe, and Morinari Watanabe, are vying to succeed Thomas Bach, who will resign on June 23, 2025. The IOC Session, preceded by an Executive Board meeting on March 17, will take place at the Romanos Resort in Costa Navarino.

As Thomas Bach's tenure concludes, seven candidates, including Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, Kirsty Coventry, Sebastian Coe, David Lappartient, Morinari Watanabe, Prince Feisal Al Hussein, and Johan Eliasch, are vying for the IOC presidency at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, from March 19-21, 2025. The election, marked by secrecy, reflects geopolitical tensions, with candidates like Samaranch Jr. seen to have support from Russia and China, while Coe is favored by the "Anglosphere." The vote on March 20 will determine the IOC's direction amid global challenges.