Thomas Bach Keynote Speaker

President, International Olympic Committee (IOC) 2013-2025
A visionary and uniting leader of one of the world’s most enduring institutions

Thomas Bach's Biography

At the helm of one of the world’s most influential institutions—which comprises 206 National Olympic Committees and dozens of International Sports Federations—Thomas Bach works at the intersection of elite sport, global diplomacy, and visionary leadership. An Olympic gold medalist in fencing and a champion for peace through sport, Bach has reshaped the Olympic Movement for the 21st century—steering it through geopolitical complexity, technological transformation, and the unifying power of shared values. Under his leadership, the Games have evolved beyond competition to become a catalyst for sustainability, innovation, and global unity.

A master storyteller with world-stage presence, Bach speaks to the values that unite sport and business: resilience, adaptability, and legacy. He draws examples from his accomplishments, including:

Fostering unity between North and South Korea in the Olympic Games in PyeongChang 2018, marking the first time ever that the two countries presented a joint team at the Olympics (Women’s Ice Hockey)
Leading the safe and successful production of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020—in 2021 after the first-ever postponement of an Olympic Games during the COVID-19 pandemic
Hosting the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in the face of both Russia and Ukraine and their respective allies threatening a boycott
Launching the first-ever Olympic AI Agenda, presenting the impact that AI will bring to sports

In a time when bridging divides is more crucial than ever, Bach’s keynotes resonate across industries—whether he’s addressing Fortune 500 executives, policymakers, or emerging leaders. Audiences gain a deeper understanding of global collaboration, organizational transformation, and values-driven leadership in times of change.

Through the lens of his compelling Olympic stories, Bach shares timeless and actionable strategies for leading through uncertainty, aligning diverse stakeholders, and making bold decisions under pressure.

The Future Plays On: What the Olympics Taught Us About Leadership, Unity, and Resilience

In this powerful and timely keynote, Thomas Bach, former President of the International Olympic Committee, shares strategic lessons in global leadership, crisis management, and diplomacy from one of the most unprecedented moments in modern sports history—the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 held during a global pandemic.

As the leader responsible for uniting governments, health agencies, sponsors, and athletes across continents, Bach offers a rare insider’s view into high-stakes decision-making and cross-border collaboration under extreme pressure. In today’s fractured and polarized world, his insights resonate far beyond sport, offering business leaders a blueprint for bridging divides, aligning global teams, and leading with clarity, purpose, and resilience.

Exclusive Access to the Olympic Games: Leadership, Innovation, Global Impact

As former President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach shares a rare insider’s look at the inner workings of one of the world’s most influential and unifying institutions.

In this compelling keynote, he provides behind-the-scenes stories of how Olympic host cities are selected, how global partnerships are forged, and how the Games are built to inspire the world. Drawing on his groundbreaking reforms like Olympic Agenda 2020 and 2020+5—strategic blueprints which modernized the Olympic Movement by focusing on sustainability, inclusivity, credibility, and long-term global impact—Bach explores how values-based leadership, innovation, and ethical decision-making can drive meaningful change.

With themes that resonate across industries, his insights illuminate what it takes to lead with integrity, adapt in a rapidly changing world, and build inclusive, purpose-driven organizations on a global stage.