The next "Lord of the Rings" - Candidates for IOC Presidency

Six candidates have applied to succeed Jacques Rogge as IOC President when he vacates the post after twelve years in office on September 10, 2013. Germany's Thomas Bach is said to have the best chances.

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Taiwanese boxing chief Wu Ching-kuo speaks during a press conference in Taipei on May 23, 2013. co. SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images)

Thomas Bach (Germany)

The 59-year-old former fencing gold medalist (1976) has a reputation as a successful lobbyist. Having headed the German Olympic Committee since 2006 he has spoken out against doping and illegal sports betting, but is also a strong advocate for Olympic Games to be held in Africa.

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Thomas Bach, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Vice President and head of the German NOC, announces his plan to run for IOC president during a press conference at the DOSB headquarters 'Haus des Sports' on May 9, 2013 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Richard Carrion (Puerto Rico)

The 60-year old IOC treasurer can take credit for having increased the IOC's capital surplus from 100 to 500 million dollars. He cannot point to any sporting success of his own, but is seen as a clever strategist with a knack at networking. He is calling for innovation and a rejuvenation of the IOC and wants to consider a lowering of the retirement age, which currently stands at 70.

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IOC Executive Board member Richard Carrion at a press conference in 2012(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Francis Vachon)

Denis Oswald (Switzerland)

The 66-year old rowing champion won bronze at the 1968 games in Mexico and has been heading the international rowers' organization FISA since 1989. The jurist acts as a judge and lawyer with the sports court CAS and has spoken out in favor of dropping all the disciplines which draw competitors of no more than four of five countries.

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Denis Oswald of Switzerland during a press conference after he announced his candidacy to succeed Jacques Rogge as IOC president on June 3, 2013 in Lausanne. FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images

Sergej Bubka (Ukraine)

The 49-year-old Ukrainian still holds the world record for pole vaulting (6.14 meters). The vice president of the athletics federation IAAF and successful businessman is said to have the support of Russia's Vladimir Putin. However, the youngest candidate is seen as having no more than an outside chance.

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Sergej Bubka in 2009 during a IAAF in Berlin+++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Ng Ser Miang (Singapore)

The Singaporean businessman and IOC deputy chairman won international recognition for successfully organizing the first Olympic Youth Games in Singapore in 2010. The 64-year old former sailing champion is believed to have the backing of most of the Asian delegates.

Image: imago/Xinhua

Ser Miang NG, Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games, addresses during the flame welcoming ceremony at Telstra Centre in Auckland Copyright: imago/Xinhua

Wu Ching-Kuo (Taiwan)

The candidature of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) came as a surprise to many observers, although he had made a name for himself reforming the organization. The 66-year-old architect and former basketball player has been a IOC member since 1988 and has vowed to fight match-fixing and doping. He is believed to have only a small chance of being chosen.