In the race for president of the International Olympic Committee, Belgium’s Jacques Rogge is widely considered to be the front-runner, but Korea’s Un Yong Kim is also considered a strong contender.
However Dick Pound of Canada, who has the most experience, has a shot at the presidency, while Hungary’s Pal Schmitt and U.S.’s Anita DeFrantz are considered long shots.
IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch is said to strongly favour Rogge for the position. Recently when Samaranch cancelled a planned trip to Korea and advertised the postponement on the IOC’s official Web site, observers said it was a clear slap at Kim, who was given a severe warning by the IOC because of his son’s role in the Salt Lake City bid scandal.
The vote takes place in Moscow July 16, three days after the host city for the 2008 Summer Games is chosen.
