"I will communicate my decision immediately after SportAccord [International Convention]," Oswald (pictured top) told insidethegames.

The Swiss 65-year-old former chief of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) claimed earlier this year that he would only enter the race to replace incumbent Jacques Rogge if he is sure he has enough support to launch a proper challenge.

However, with fellow European Thomas Bach having already confirmed his candidacy for the most powerful position in world sport it remains to be seen if IOC members will back Oswald over fears that he might spark a split in the European vote if he stands against the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) President.


If Oswald, an Olympic rowing bronze medallist and an IOC member since 1991 who was the chairman of the London 2012 Coordination Commission, runs he will also be the only candidate with French as his first language.

C K Wu, Taiwanese President of the International Boxing Association, became the latest candidate to officially declare yesterday. 

He joins Richard Carrión, Puerto Rican chairman of the IOC's Finance Commission, and Singapore's Ng Ser Miang, the IOC vice-president, who have also put put themselves forward, bringing to four the total number of candidates. 

Ukraine's International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) vice-president Sergey Bubka is also expected to announce he is standing in the coming weeks.

IOC members are scheduled to elect a new President at its Session in Buenos Aires on September 10 when Rogge steps down after years in office.

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