Last Updated:

2024-04-15 21:19:39

Thomas Bach

German lawyer, Olympic gold medalist, IOC president

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German lawyer, Olympic gold medalist, IOC president

Thomas Bach, born in 1953, is a German lawyer and former foil fencer. He became the president of the International Olympic Committee in 2013, being the first Olympic champion to hold this position. Bach has a successful sports background, being a former German individual foil champion and a member of the German Olympic Sports Confederation's executive board.

Olaf Scholz Martin Luther FC Bayern Munich Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Borussia Dortmund Ludwig van Beethoven ABBA Peter Paul Rubens Bauhaus Thomas Paine

1953-12-29

Thomas Bach born

Thomas Bach, a German lawyer, former foil fencer, and Olympic gold medalist, was born on December 29, 1953. He currently serves as the president of the International Olympic Committee.

1960

Athlete Welfare Improvement under Thomas Bach

Dick Pound, a former Olympic swimmer, believes that athlete welfare has significantly improved under Thomas Bach's leadership. He mentions that contemporary athletes are more informed and have a stronger voice within the IOC.

1971

Thomas Bach wins German national junior foil championship

At the age of 17 in 1971, Thomas Bach achieved victory in the German national junior foil championship.

1976

Thomas Bach wins Olympic gold medal with West German foil team

Thomas Bach achieved an Olympic gold medal with the West German foil team at the 1976 Montreal Games. He also had success at the World Championships and European Cup in the same period.

1977

Winning Gold Medals at World Championships in Buenos Aires

Thomas Bach won two gold medals with the German foil fencing team at the World Championships in Buenos Aires in 1977.

1978

Thomas Bach becomes German Champion in individual foil

In 1978, Thomas Bach achieved the title of German Champion in the individual foil category, showcasing his prowess in fencing at a national level.

1981

Founding Member of IOC Athletes’ Commission

Thomas Bach became a founding member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission in 1981.

1983

Thomas Bach earns a doctor of law degree

In 1983, Thomas Bach obtained a doctor of law (Dr. iur. utr.) degree from the University of Würzburg.

1991

Becoming an IOC Member

Thomas Bach became an IOC member in 1991.

1996

Serving on the IOC Executive Board

Thomas Bach served on the IOC Executive Board between 1996 and 2013.

2008-04

Siemens Consulting Contract Controversy

In April 2008, Thomas Bach faced criticism for having a consulting contract with Siemens, receiving 400,000 Euros and 5,000 Euros per day. The contract involved organizing invitations from the Arab world for Siemens, leading to concerns of conflict of interest.

2010

Becoming IOC President

Thomas Bach was elected as IOC president in 2010.

2013-09-10

Thomas Bach elected as President of the IOC

Thomas Bach became the first German to be elected as the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the IOC session in Buenos Aires in 2013. He was re-elected for a second term on March 10, 2021.

2013-09-16

Resignation as President of DOSB

Bach resigned as the President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) on 16 September 2013 to run for the IOC Presidency, a position he had held since 2006.

2013-09-17

Officially assuming office as IOC President

Bach officially moved into the IOC presidential office at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 17 September 2013, a week after being elected president.

2014

Russia State-Sponsored Doping Scandal

During Thomas Bach's tenure as IOC President, he faced challenges dealing with Russia's state-sponsored doping scandal, which involved tampering with anti-doping lab at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Bach was criticized for allegedly turning a blind eye to the issue.

2016

Grand Cordon of the National Order of Merit

In 2016, Thomas Bach was awarded the Grand Cordon of the National Order of Merit by Tunisia.

2017-11-11

Thomas Bach granted post-nominal letters 'OLY'

On November 11, 2017, Thomas Bach was officially given the post-nominal letters 'OLY' in recognition of his achievements.

2018

World Anti-Doping Agency's ban on Russian athletes lifted

Bach faced criticism from German media for his perceived support towards Russia, as he played a role in lifting the ban on Russian athletes by the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2018.

2020

Thomas Bach emphasizes the importance of human rights in the Olympic Charter

Thomas Bach, the President of the IOC, highlighted the firm anchoring of human rights in the Olympic Charter and expressed the commitment to strengthen this connection in the future, aligning the mission of the IOC with promoting human rights.

2021-03-10

Thomas Bach Reinstallation as IOC President

Thomas Bach will be reinstalled as President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for four more years on March 10, 2021. He is known for his leadership in the Olympic movement.

2021-07-23

Thomas Bach's Controversial Leadership in the IOC

Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is criticized for following the footsteps of past IOC chiefs who have faced widespread disapproval from the Olympic community.

2022

Beijing awarded 2022 Winter Games

Beijing, the capital of China, was awarded the 2022 Winter Games during Thomas Bach's tenure as IOC chief. This decision has been controversial due to concerns over human rights violations in China.

2023-12-11

IOC President in Saudi Arabia to visit the National Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the Saudi National Games

IOC President Thomas Bach visited Saudi Arabia to meet with the National Olympic and Paralympic Committee and attend the Saudi National Games.

2023-12-13

IOC President leads sports world in support of displaced people at Global Refugee Forum

IOC President Thomas Bach took a leading role in advocating for displaced individuals at the Global Refugee Forum.

2023-12-28

New Year’s Message 2024 by IOC President Thomas Bach

IOC President Thomas Bach delivered a New Year's message for 2024.

2024-01-15

IOC President welcomes message from His Holiness Pope Francis on sport building bridges of peace

IOC President Thomas Bach appreciated a message from His Holiness Pope Francis emphasizing the role of sport in fostering peace.

2024-01-17

IOC President celebrates fourth Winter Youth Olympic Games: 'We are building a new legacy'

IOC President Thomas Bach marked the fourth Winter Youth Olympic Games as a step towards creating a new legacy.

2024-01-18

Winner of medal design competition presented with a set of “his” medals by IOC President Bach

The winner of the medal design competition received a set of medals from IOC President Thomas Bach.

2024-01-31

Gangwon 2024 volunteers thanked by IOC President

IOC President expressed gratitude to the volunteers of Gangwon 2024 for their contributions.

2024-02-21

IOC President welcomed the Guatemalan Head of State, Bernardo Arévalo, to Olympic House

IOC President Thomas Bach greeted the Guatemalan Head of State, Bernardo Arévalo, at the Olympic House.

2024-03-01

IOC President Bach welcomes words by French President Macron on the spirit of the Olympic Games

IOC President Thomas Bach appreciated the remarks made by French President Macron regarding the essence of the Olympic Games.

2024-03-18

IOC President celebrates 100 years of Olympic Winter Games

IOC President Thomas Bach commemorated the centenary of the Olympic Winter Games.

2024-03-22

Support for Russian and Belarusian athletes at 2024 Summer Olympics

Despite the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, Bach expressed his support for the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the 2024 Summer Olympics, emphasizing that national governments should not have the authority to determine athletes' participation in international sporting events.

2024-03-27

President Bach in Fiji for the Annual General Assembly of the Oceania National Olympic Committees

President Thomas Bach visited Fiji to attend the Annual General Assembly of the Oceania National Olympic Committees.

2025

End of Thomas Bach's Tenure as IOC President

Thomas Bach's term as the President of the International Olympic Committee is set to end in 2025, with a possibility of one renewal for four more years. He faces challenges such as making decisions on Russia's participation and ensuring the success of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

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Thomas Bach