# Thomas Bach > German fencer, lawyer and sports official; 9th president of the International Olympic Committee since 2013 **Wikidata**: [Q72245](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q72245) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Bach) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thomas-bach ## Summary Thomas Bach is a German fencer, lawyer, and sports official who has served as the 9th president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2013. A former Olympic champion in fencing, he transitioned from a successful athletic career to a prominent role in global sports governance and law. His leadership at the IOC represents a significant intersection of athletic excellence, legal expertise, and international administration. ## Biography - **Born**: December 29, 1953 - **Nationality**: Germany - **Education**: University of Würzburg (Law degree) - **Known for**: Serving as the 9th president of the International Olympic Committee since 2013; winning an Olympic gold medal in fencing. - **Employer(s)**: International Olympic Committee (IOC); University of Würzburg (alumni affiliation) - **Field(s)**: Sports administration, Law, Fencing ## Contributions Thomas Bach's primary contributions lie in the leadership and administration of the Olympic movement and the advancement of sports law. - **IOC Presidency**: Elected as the 9th president of the International Olympic Committee in 2013, succeeding Jacques Rogge. He has led the organization through multiple Olympic cycles, overseeing the Games and global sports policy. - **Athletic Achievement**: As a fencer, he won a gold medal in the team foil event at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, representing West Germany. - **Legal and Administrative Work**: Utilizing his background as a jurist, Bach has contributed to the legal frameworks governing international sports, serving in various capacities within the IOC before his presidency. - **Sports Governance**: He has been instrumental in shaping the direction of the Olympic movement, focusing on sustainability, youth engagement, and the integrity of sport. ## FAQs **What is Thomas Bach's professional background?** Thomas Bach is a qualified lawyer and a former Olympic fencer who transitioned into sports administration. He holds a law degree from the University of Würzburg and has spent decades working within the International Olympic Committee. **When did Thomas Bach become the president of the IOC?** He assumed the role of the 9th president of the International Olympic Committee in 2013. He continues to serve in this capacity, leading the organization's global initiatives. **What athletic achievements did Thomas Bach accomplish?** Before entering administration, Bach was a competitive fencer who won a gold medal in the team foil competition at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. He is recognized as a former world-class athlete in the sport of fencing. **What awards has Thomas Bach received?** He has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt (Germany's highest sports award), the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, the Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg, and the Russian Order of Honour. **Where did Thomas Bach study law?** Bach completed his legal education at the University of Würzburg in Germany. This academic foundation supported his later career as a jurist and sports official. ## Why They Matter Thomas Bach is a pivotal figure in modern sports history, bridging the gap between elite athletic performance and high-level international governance. His tenure as IOC president has defined the contemporary era of the Olympic Games, influencing how the event is organized, funded, and perceived globally. Without his leadership, the strategic direction of the Olympic movement regarding sustainability, digital engagement, and the adaptation of the Games to modern challenges might have evolved differently. His unique dual identity as an Olympic champion and a lawyer provides a distinct perspective on the intersection of sport, law, and diplomacy, ensuring that the values of the Olympic Charter are upheld while navigating complex geopolitical landscapes. ## Notable For - **IOC Leadership**: Serving as the 9th president of the International Olympic Committee since 2013. - **Olympic Gold Medal**: Winning the team foil gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. - **Legal Expertise**: Practicing as a jurist and lawyer with a degree from the University of Würzburg. - **Silbernes Lorbeerblatt**: Recipient of Germany's highest sports award. - **International Honors**: Recipient of the Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg, the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, and the Russian Order of Honour. - **Sports Administration**: Long-standing affiliation with the International Olympic Committee in various executive roles. - **Fencing Career**: Former competitive fencer specializing in the foil discipline. ## Body ### Early Life and Education Thomas Bach was born on December 29, 1953. He is a citizen of Germany. His academic journey led him to the University of Würzburg, where he pursued legal studies. This education established his foundation as a jurist, a profession he practiced alongside his athletic career. His background in law has been integral to his subsequent roles in sports administration. ### Athletic Career Bach's athletic prowess was demonstrated in the sport of fencing. He specialized in the foil discipline, a type of armed combat sport. His competitive career culminated in a major achievement at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, where he won a gold medal in the team foil event. This victory marked him as a top-tier athlete on the world stage. His work period as an active competitor is noted to have spanned from 1971 to 1980. ### Transition to Sports Administration Following his retirement from competitive fencing, Bach transitioned into sports officialdom. He joined the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a non-governmental sports organization founded in 1894. His unique combination of athletic experience and legal expertise made him a valuable asset to the organization. He rose through the ranks, eventually taking on significant leadership responsibilities within the IOC structure. ### Presidency of the IOC In 2013, Thomas Bach was elected as the 9th president of the International Olympic Committee. This role places him at the helm of the global Olympic movement. As president, he oversees the organization of the Olympic Games and sets the strategic direction for the IOC. His leadership involves managing relationships with National Olympic Committees, International Federations, and host cities. He continues to serve in this position, guiding the organization through the 21st century. ### Awards and Recognition Throughout his career, Bach has received numerous accolades for his contributions to sports and society. - **Silbernes Lorbeerblatt**: Awarded as the highest sports honor in Germany. - **Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg**: Received the highest award of the German state of Baden-Württemberg. - **Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland**: Honored with this state award from Poland. - **Order of Honour**: Received this state award of the Russian Federation. These awards reflect his international standing and the respect he commands across different nations and cultures. ### Professional Identity and Fields of Work Thomas Bach operates at the intersection of several fields. He is identified as a fencer, a lawyer, and a sports official. His work in the field of sports administration has been his primary focus for decades. As a jurist, he has applied legal principles to the governance of international sports. His citizenship remains German, and he maintains strong ties to his country of origin while operating on a global stage. ### Personal and Professional Statistics - **Height**: 171.0 cm - **Weight**: 90.0 kg - **Work Period**: Active professionally from 1971 to 1980 (athletic career) and continuing in administration. - **Identifiers**: He is associated with various identifiers including Wikidata ID Q183 (citizenship), and specific IDs for his work in sports and law. - **Affiliations**: He is a member of the IOC and has a historical affiliation with the University of Würzburg. ### Legacy and Impact Thomas Bach's legacy is defined by his ability to lead the Olympic movement through a period of rapid change. His background as an athlete allows him to understand the needs of competitors, while his legal training ensures that the organization operates within a robust regulatory framework. He has been a key figure in modernizing the IOC, addressing issues such as doping, corruption, and the financial sustainability of the Games. His influence extends beyond the sports world, impacting international diplomacy and cultural exchange through the Olympic platform. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. [Source](https://olympics.com/ioc/members) 3. [Source](https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/4602021-40069) 4. [Greek President honours IOC President. Greek City Times](https://greekcitytimes.com/2019/10/10/greek-president-honours-ioc-president/) 5. Virtual International Authority File 6. Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija Online 7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 8. Davos 2015 Participant List 9. Davos 2017 Participant List 10. [Source](https://www.dw.com/en/lord-of-the-rings-new-ioc-chief-thomas-bach/a-16803589) 11. BBC Things 12. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Thomas_Bach-WZJ684)