New IOC president faces challenging 1st Games

( Agencies ) Updated: 2014-02-02 09:47:51

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach (L) talks with Russian pole vaulter and Mayor of the village, Yelena Isinbayeva, in the coastal Athlete's Village at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics February 1, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

While the buildup to the Olympics has been dominated by negative headlines, Bach believes the tone will change once the competitions begin.

"We always have before the games political discussions - we have concerns," he said. "But the people around the world know that this is, first of all, about sports. I'm really confident that we will have a very good Olympic atmosphere."

Rogge, an orthopedic surgeon and former Olympic sailor from Belgium, was credited with keeping a steady hand and bringing stability to the IOC after the turmoil of the Salt Lake City bidding scandal. But, in the final stages of his presidency, Rogge looked weary, slow and out of steam.

The contrast has been dramatic with Bach's arrival. He's had a whirlwind first few months in office, traveling around the globe to meet world leaders and Olympic officials.

Having served at the top levels of the IOC for many years and holding several high-profile positions, Bach - winner of team foil gold at the 1976 Montreal Games - didn't require much of a transition period or learning curve. He has quickly taken charge and moved to chart his own course.

Bach has gone to the United Nations to speak to the General Assembly and has met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. He was in Brazil last week, urging the government and Olympic organizers to speed up the troubled 2016 preparations.

One of Bach's first trips was in October to Sochi, where he met with Putin and checked out the Olympic venues first hand.

Behind the scenes, Bach has been just as busy. He convened a four-day "brain-storming" retreat of the executive board in December.

In Sochi, Bach will make a big push for "Olympic Agenda 2000," his blueprint for the rest of the decade. The program includes possible changes to the bidding process, sports program and 70-year age limit for IOC members.