By Duncan Mackay

Sepp Blatter is set to lose his position as a member of the International Olympic Committee when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 80 ©Getty ImagesSepp Blatter will have to give up his position as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the end of 2016 even if, as expected, his retains his position as President of FIFA next year.


Blatter, appointed an IOC member in 1999 shortly after becoming head of football's world governing body, will be forced to step when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 80.

It follows the publication yesterday of Agenda 2020 which did not recommend an automatic extension in the age limit for those members beyond the age of 70.

A proposal to allow the heads of International Federations to continue as IOC members even after the age of 80 while they completed their terms had been discussed but not put forward.

Blatter had become an IOC before the 70-year limit was enacted, making him eligible to serve until 80.

But, earlier this year, at the IOC Session in Sochi, Blatter had claimed imposing age limits on sports administrators is an "act of discrimination".

Blatter claimed FIFA had conducted its own study and found age limits were discriminatory.

He says members instead could be voted out democratically if change in membership is needed.

Blatter, currently under fire for alleged corruption linked to the bid process for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, is planning to stand for a fifth term as FIFA President next year. 

The 70-year limit was brought in as one of the IOC reforms enacted in 1999 after the Salt Lake City bid scandal.

Sepp Blatter has claimed age-limits imposed by the International Olympic Committee are discriminatory ©Getty ImagesSepp Blatter has claimed age-limits imposed by the International Olympic Committee are discriminatory ©Getty Images

An IOC spokesman confirmed to insidethegames that a proposal in Agenda 2020, launched in Lausanne by IOC President Thomas Bach, would allow the organisation's ruling Executive Board to offer a one-time extension of a member's term of office for a maximum of four years applied only to those beyond the current age limit of 70.

The extension is to be applied in a maximum of five cases at a given time. 

Another key recommendation in Agenda 2020 regarding IOC membership is a more targeted recruitment process. 

The Nominations Commission should take a more proactive role in identifying the right candidate to fill vacancies "in order to beset fulfil the mission of the IOC".

This includes seeking candidates with particular skills-set, including expertise in medicine, sociology, culture, politics, business, legal and management, as well as sport. 

Geographic balance, as well as a maximum number of representatives from the same country, is set to be adopted, as well as gender balance.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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