Bach waits in the wings as Rogge reign nears end

The six candidates bidding to be elected to the most powerful position in sport as president of International Olympic Committee (IOC) girded their loins for one final day of campaigning on Monday in Buenos Aires. 

Unassuming Belgian Jacques Rogge will step down on Tuesday after a 12 year reign in what has been a largely successful term having notably been credited with restoring the image of the organisation. 

It is a considerable feat as Rogge had faced a tough task after the IOC had been badly tarnished in the final years of Juan Antonio Samaranch’s stewardship over the bribes for votes scandal concerning the successful Salt Lake City bid for 2002 Winter Olympics.

The sextet of candidates, all men and none from Africa, will take over an IOC that Rogge revealed on Sunday is in great financial health and, with over 900 million in reserve, could afford the cancellation of an Olympic Games. 

However, Rogge’s successor will have been made painfully aware on Sunday that his main headache will be the preparations for the Rio Games in 2016. Monday’s fare for the assembled IOC members is far low key than the two previous frenetic days of elections for the host city for 2020, won by Tokyo, and a sport for 2020 and 2024 Games which saw wrestling being restored.