Behind closed doors at the IOC seven candidates hoping to lead the Olympic body are making key pitches to an exclusive club of more than 100 voters.

Candidates for the world's most powerful job in global sport -- the presidency of the International Olympic Committee -- unveiled their plans and vision for the Games in a brief presentation to the IOC membership on Thursday (January 30).

The election is set for the IOC Session in Greece from March 18 to 21. Candidates will not give presentations during the session. The new president will officially take office on June 23, Olympic Day, after a transitional period alongside Thomas Bach, who will step down after 12 years as IOC president.

With both the 2028 Olympics and the 2034 Winter Games taking part in the United States, the 51-year-old was keen to emphasize he would be firm with U.S. president Donald Trump over the IOC's status. "Our autonomy is non-negotiable will be my message," he said.

Behind closed doors, seven candidates presented their case for why they should become the next president of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday. In the private session with IOC members, the six men and one woman vying for the top job in sports used 15 minutes to present their vision for the global organization.

Standing against him are Zimbabwe's sports minister and former Olympic swimmer Kirsty Coventry, the late former IOC president's son Juan Antonio Samaranch, and international cycling chief David Lappartient.

Sebastian Coe, Kirsty Coventry, Juan Antonio Samaranch and other candidates for the IOC (International Olympic Committee) presidency speak to the media following presentations offered to the IOC's members in Lausanne.