Photo/Illutration International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is shown on a screen on Oct. 15 during the first day of the IOC general assembly in Mumbai. (Provided by International Olympic Committee)

The first day of the International Olympic Committee’s general assembly on Oct. 15 was a rather predictable, perhaps even scripted, affair.

IOC members called for extending President Thomas Bach’s term, which is set to expire in 2025.

Members from Algeria, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay and Djibouti praised Bach’s “outstanding leadership” and called for an amendment to the Olympic Charter to allow his re-election.

“(The term) should be extended by another four years,” one member specified.

Insiders had speculated that such a pro-Bach scenario would unfold at the session held in Mumbai.

However, the Japanese IOC member did not follow the script.

Morinari Watanabe, president of the International Gymnastics Federation, was the only member who opposed the term extension at the general assembly.

“People around the world expect sports to follow rules, be fair and have high integrity. But in the past, failures in organizational governance led to corruption and tarnished the image of sports,” he said.

“The IOC should be a model for international governing bodies of each sport, and sports should set a good example for society,” Watanabe added.

No other members joined in agreement with his views.

But there is truth in Watanabe’s words.

ENVIRONMENT OF CORRUPTION

The Olympic Charter stipulates the IOC president can remain at the post for a maximum of 12 years--eight years for the first term and four years for the second.

This rule came about after the organization reflected on its past mistakes. It recognized that long-term leadership created a hotbed of corruption and tarnished the image of the Olympic Games.

During the presidency of Juan Antonio Samaranch from 1980 to 2001, an amendment was made in the Olympic Charter concerning the retirement age.

At the 1995 general assembly, Samaranch, then 74 years old, was approaching the retirement age of 75.

But with support from influential figures, such as the FIFA President Joao Havelange and other allies, Samaranch raised the IOC retirement age to 80.

As a result, he was re-elected president in 1997.

Allegations then surfaced that bribes were used to award Salt Lake City the rights to host the 2002 Winter Olympics. At least 10 IOC members were expelled or forced to resign in the scandal.

Samaranch had tacitly allowed the IOC environment to become rife with bribery and money politics. His final years in office marred his long reign.

The atmosphere changed after Jacques Rogge succeeded Samaranch as IOC president. Members were allowed to more freely express their opinions.

Rogge stepped down after serving the maximum 12 years.

RARE DISSENT

Bach, 69, who took office in 2013, is increasingly showing dictatorial tendencies similar to those of Samaranch, under whom he once served.

Those who align with Bach’s intentions are favored for key positions. Voices opposing the president’s policies are rarely heard.

When an important agenda item is on the table at the general assembly, members say they are sometimes asked in advance by the president’s close aides to make certain remarks at the session.

Some IOC members were rumored to have been asked to promote Bach’s extended presidential term at the Oct. 15 session, although such requests could not be confirmed.

Still, the session was reminiscent of the 1995 general assembly that effectively extended Samaranch’s reign.

Watanabe, whose name has been floated as the next IOC president, said after the first day of the general assembly: “I have supported President Bach’s reforms up until now. That’s why I don’t want him to tarnish his remaining years in office.”

Bach thanked the members for their opinions at the session, saying, “I am loyal to the Olympic Charter.”

But he did not clarify if he was referring to the current charter or the one that could be amended for his re-election.

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