German Thomas Bach became the first official candidate to be the International Olympic Committee's new president on Thursday, saying his long experience in the world of sport was his strongest asset.

The 1976 Olympic fencing champion, who is an IOC vice-president and has been a member of the body since 1991, has long been considered a front-runner in the race, even before confirming his plans for a tilt at one of the biggest jobs in sports administration.

The IOC will elect a new president at its session in Buenos Aires on Sept 10 to replace Jacques Rogge, whose two-term rule since 2001 comes to a mandatory end.