The IOC announces on its website that Eliasch is one of seven candidates running in the election in March next year. He was born in Sweden and also holds British citizenship. Eliasch has been the chairman of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (Fis) since 2021.
Since he took office, he has been criticized from Sweden for his leadership style, which has been accused of being authoritarian and top-down.
If you're going to lead a member organization with so many countries, you need to work with change, communication, and make sure the members understand what's happening. You need to have them with you. We don't recognize this way of working, said Karin Mattsson, chairman of the Swedish Ski Association, to TT in 2022.
Eliasch is perhaps the most surprising name among the seven candidates. He has only been a member of the IOC for just over two months. When he was elected in Paris, 17 voted against him, according to AP, which is a high number in Olympic contexts.
Former advisor to Boris Johnson
The 62-year-old Eliasch is a businessman and billionaire who bought the Austrian sports equipment manufacturer Head in 1995 and turned the company into a profit machine.
After moving to the UK, Eliasch became a member of the Tory party and has acted as an advisor to several British politicians, including Boris Johnson. According to SvD, he had a shadow minister role in the party between 2003-2006.
In addition to Eliasch, Sebastian Coe is also on the list of the seven candidates, as expected. The Briton, who is chairman of the international athletics federation, has been tipped as the hottest candidate to replace Bach.
"A laser-like focus on sports must be the IOC's priority. I believe I can help achieve that and more", says Coe in a statement, according to AP.
To be elected in Greece next year
The others on the list are: Faisal bin Al Hussein (Jordan), Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe), David Lappartient (France), Morinari Watanabe (Japan), and Juan Antonio Samaranch (Spain). The latter's father, who has the same name, presided over the IOC between 1980 and 2001.
The election will take place when the IOC members meet in Athens on March 18-21, 2025.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has had ten chairmen since 1894. Next year, a new one will be elected to succeed Thomas Bach.
1894-1896: Demetrius Vikeelas, Greece.
1896-1925: Baron Pierre de Coubertin, France (stepped down 1916-1919 during World War I).
1916-1919: Baron Godefroy de Blonay, Switzerland.
1925-1942: Henri de Baillet-Latour, Belgium.
1942-1952: Sigfrid Edström, Sweden.
1952-1972: Avery Brundage, USA.
1972-1980: Lord Michael Killanin, Ireland.
1980-2001: Juan Antonio Samaranch, Spain.
2001-2013: Jacques Rogge, Belgium.
2013-2025: Thomas Bach, Germany.
