By Duncan Mackay

German Ski Federation President Alfons Hörmann is the favourite to take over from Thomas Bach as President of the DOSBOctober 21 - Alfons Hörmann, President of the German Ski Federation (DSV), is set to replace Thomas Bach as head of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) but will face opposition from boxing official Ulrich Bittner.


Bittner, head of the World Series of Boxing franchise German Eagles, is a surprise late name on the ballot name but Hörmann remains the overwhelming favourite to succeed Bach, who stood down last month after being elected new President of the International Olympic Committee.

The 53-year-old has already received the backing of the 62 German sports federations who form  the majority of the DOSB and has the support of Bach.

"We had a very open discussion," said Rainer Brechtken, President of the German Gymnastics Federation.

"In the end, we have all have mutually decided.

"Our candidate is Hörmann."

A formal vote is due to take place at the DOSB General Assembly in Wiesbaden on December 7.

The DSV, which includes Alpine, biathlon, cross country, Nordic combined and ski jumping, is the country's most successful winter sports federation which under Hörmann has prospered thanks to investment from television and sponsors.

If elected, Hörmann - a member of the International Ski Federation's ruling Council - is also expected to play a key role in Munich's proposed bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Alfons Hörmann (right) has the backing of Thomas Bach to replace him as the new President of the DOSBAlfons Hörmann (right) has the backing of Thomas Bach to replace him as the new President of the DOSB

Hörmann had initially ruled himself out of the running to replace Bach but has emerged as the front-runner after impressing ahead of rivals, Ingo Weiss, chairman of the German Sports Youth and President of the German Basketball Federation, and Christa Thiel, President of the German Swimming Association and vice-president of DOSB competitive sports.

Hörmann leads the Hörmann Holding, a group of companies offering technology services with 3,500 employees, 25 subsidiaries and annual sales of €590 million (£500 million/$807 million), which makes him financially independent, an important consideration as the DOSB role is as an unpaid volunteer.

The decision of Bittner, also successful businessman, albeit on a smaller scale, to stand has caught most people by surprise.

"I do not see myself primarily as an opponent of Hörmann, but as an additional alternative," he said.

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