125th IOC Voting Session Elicits New Changes to Olympics

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KEVIN KONG
Sports Editor

The Olympic Games, known for bringing nations and athletes together in the name of sportsmanship, has been established as an international tradition. On Sept. 7, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) met in Buenos Aires to discuss changes to the Olympics in the 125th IOC Session. Members from several nations comprise the IOC and vote for the location of the 2020 Olympics, the new IOC president and the addition of a sport for the 2020 Games.

Three metropolitan cities were in consideration for the 2020 Olympics: Tokyo, Istanbul and Madrid. After representatives of each city presented to the IOC, the IOC voted in two rounds. Tokyo led the first round while Istanbul and Madrid tied; however, Istanbul won by a slim margin of four votes in a tiebreaker. In the second round, Tokyo received 60 votes over Istanbul’s 36. After news of “#tokyo2020” became official, emotional responses from all over Japan were received.
“Tokyo’s bid [invited] us to ‘discover tomorrow’ by deliver[ing] a well-organised and safe Games that will reinforce the Olympic values while demonstrating the benefits of a sport to a new generation,” former IOC President Jacques Rogge said.

In addition, the IOC voted on a new president after Rogge’s term ended. Thomas Bach, a former gold medalist from Germany, won in two rounds of a voting session by a margin of 20 votes.

“You should know my doors, my ears and my heart are always open for you,” Bach said.

Bach will hold office for eight years with the possibility of an additional four year term based on reelection.

Another major vote that took place was whether the IOC should add wrestling, baseball/softball or squash to the 2020 and 2024 Games. The voting occurred after presentations from each respective sport’s corresponding international federation. In a one-round voting session, wrestling won over the other two sports by over 20 votes.

Wrestling, initially cut from the Olympics by the IOC on Feb. 12, will return to the Games as one of the most anticipated sports.

As enthusiasm spreads around the world in excitement of Tokyo 2020, the IOC plans for successful and joyous Summer Olympics.