The 144th Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially opened on Tuesday in Ancient Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.

In light rain, the ceremony took place at the International Olympic Academy, adjacent to the ancient ruins where the Games began nearly 3,000 years ago. Following the opening ceremony, the main proceedings will take place from March 19 to 21 at Costa Navarino, a coastal resort in southwestern Greece.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach speaks during the opening ceremony for the the 144th International Olympic Committee (IOC) session at the International Olympic Academy in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

IOC President Thomas Bach, who will step down in June after serving the maximum 12-year term, delivered a speech emphasizing the enduring values of the Olympic Movement.

"The Olympic Games and the values they represent have endured for millennia. These values unite us and remind us that we are part of something greater than ourselves. This is why we must always put values first. It is our duty to carry these values with humble dignity and pass them on to the next generations," Bach said.

He warned of the fragility of these values, recalling how the ancient Olympic Games disappeared for nearly 2,000 years when political and commercial interests overshadowed sport.

"It took almost 2,000 years before the Olympic Games could be revived by Pierre de Coubertin. When he did so 131 years ago, as a young man aged just 29 years, he envisioned a world where sport could drive positive changes," Bach remarked.

Describing this IOC Session as "a sacred pilgrimage to our ancient past, a homage to our modern origins, and a manifestation of our faith in the future when we will elect a new president," Bach reflected on the historical significance of gathering at Ancient Olympia for such an occasion.

One of the most anticipated events of this Session is the presidential election on March 20, where seven candidates are vying to become the 10th IOC president. The candidates include IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., Zimbabwe's Olympic swimming champion and sports minister Kirsty Coventry, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) President David Lappartient, International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) President Johan Eliasch, IOC Executive Board Member Prince Feisal Al Hussein, and International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) President Morinari Watanabe.

The election will be conducted in multiple rounds, with the candidate receiving the fewest votes eliminated in each round until one secures an absolute majority. The winner will serve an eight-year term, with the next IOC presidential election scheduled for 2033.

Ancient Olympia, the site where the Olympic flame is traditionally lit, serves as a powerful symbol of continuity between the past, present, and future of the Olympic Games. The newly elected President of Greece, Konstantinos Tasoulas, attended the ceremony and suggested that all future IOC presidential elections could be held in Ancient Olympia, reinforcing the deep historical connection between Greece and the Olympic Movement.

Beyond the presidential election, this IOC Session will also review and reflect on the major reforms and milestones achieved during Bach's presidency.

The IOC Executive Board has proposed the inclusion of boxing in the sports program of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, following the IOC's provisional recognition of World Boxing (WB) in February. A final decision on the matter is expected to be made during this Session.

Additionally, the IOC will receive updates on the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, and future Olympic Games.