Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee, Olympic Gold Medallist in Fencing, Lawyer, Former Economic Adviser to the German liberal party FDP & Recipient of the Gold Olympic Order

Thomas Bach is one of the most influential figures in global sport, as the Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee, an Olympic gold medallist and an accomplished lawyer. Best known for becoming the first Olympic champion ever elected President of the IOC in 2013, Thomas has spent decades shaping international sport, athlete representation and Olympic governance. Re-elected in 2021 for a further four-year term, he led the Olympic Movement through a transformative period while championing unity, integrity and global collaboration. Combining elite sporting achievement with expertise in law, politics and business leadership, Thomas is widely hired as a speaker on leadership, resilience, diplomacy and high-performance culture.

Thomas began his sporting career as a world-class fencer, serving as the Fencing Athletes’ Representative in Germany from 1975 to 1979. In 1976, he won Olympic gold in the team foil event at the Montreal Olympic Games and was later crowned World Champion in both 1976 and 1977. Alongside his sporting success, Thomas studied law and politics at the University of Würzburg, graduating in 1978 before earning a PhD in law in 1983. He founded his own law firm in 1982 and later became Director of International Relations at Adidas in 1985. He served as an IOC Athletes’ Representative and became a founding member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission. Thomas joined the IOC in 1991, was elected to the IOC Executive Board and became IOC Vice-President in 2000. Beyond sport, he also served as Economic Adviser to the German liberal party FDP, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Michael Weinig AG and a member of the Board of Administration at Siemens AG. In 2006, he was named founding President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation.

Throughout his distinguished career, Thomas has received numerous international honours and accolades. In 2020, he was awarded the Seoul Peace Prize by the Republic of Korea in recognition of his contribution to peace through sport. He has also received honorary doctorates from the University of Tsukuba in Japan and Universidad Católica de Murcia in Spain, alongside state honours from Hungary, Greece, Poland, South Korea and Japan. In 2014, Thomas received the European Olympic Committees Order of Merit, before being awarded the prestigious Gold Olympic Order in 2025 after stepping down as IOC President and becoming Honorary President.

Known for his composed leadership style and international influence, Thomas brings a unique perspective to audiences around the world. Drawing upon decades of experience across elite sport, corporate governance and international diplomacy, he speaks with authority on topics including leadership under pressure, athlete welfare, organisational transformation and the future of global sport. His ability to connect Olympic values with modern business challenges has made him a highly sought-after keynote speaker for conferences, leadership summits and corporate events worldwide.

Why Hire Thomas Bach?

Thomas Bach is hired as a speaker for his extraordinary insight into leadership, global governance and resilience at the highest level of international sport. Having led the IOC through major world events and organisational change, he offers audiences valuable lessons on strategic decision-making, teamwork and navigating pressure on a global stage. Thomas combines the mindset of an Olympic gold medallist with decades of experience in law, business and diplomacy, delivering speeches that are both inspiring and commercially relevant. His keynote appearances at major international forums and sporting events make him an exceptional choice for corporate, governmental and leadership audiences.