Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) President Alejandro Blanco announced on Friday that he has officially submitted his candidacy for the presidency of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC). According to announcements shared on his official social media channels and reported by Agencia EFE, Blanco enters the race for the upcoming 2026–2030 term with a platform centered on unity, independence, and closer institutional support for all member nations.
Election Details and Timeline for ANOC Presidency
The election to determine the next leader of ANOC will take place during the organization’s upcoming General Assembly, scheduled for December 7–8 in Hong Kong, China, as reported by Agencia EFE. Blanco’s candidacy was formally submitted ahead of the organizational deadline and follows a unanimous decision by the COE Executive Committee on September 4. Per ANOC constitutional requirements, candidates must be nominated by one National Olympic Committee and secure formal backing from at least one other. The organization will confirm the final list of eligible presidential candidates by October 9.
Blanco’s Platform for the 206 National Committees
If elected, Blanco aims to lead the global association through a four-year mandate spanning from 2026 to 2030, succeeding Fiji’s Robin Mitchell, who has headed the executive council since October 2022. According to statements published by the COE, Blanco’s campaign focuses on serving all 206 National Olympic Committees (CONs) through active listening and concrete solutions. «I want to contribute to a strong, united, independent ANOC close to its members, capable of reinforcing the voice and role of the CONs», Blanco stated via social media, summarizing his core principles with the slogan: «Listen. Unite. Deliver.»
International Track Record and Previous Experience
Blanco has led the Spanish Olympic Committee since September 2005, having won five successive re-elections as the sole candidate after previously presiding over the Spanish Judo Federation from 1993 to 2005. At the international level, the COE reports that Blanco has served on the ANOC Executive Council since 2018 and previously sat on the European Olympic Committees Executive Committee between 2007 and 2021. Throughout his tenure, he has frequently handled mediation tasks in disputes between national committees and public authorities, working to safeguard the autonomy of the Olympic Movement. Over the coming months, Blanco plans to conduct direct dialogues with committees across all five continents to align priorities ahead of the December vote in Hong Kong.
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