German Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach on Thursday officially announced his candidature to succeed Jacques Rogge as president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

On Wednesday, Bach, 59, told Rogge of his intention to stand in the September 10 election to be held in Buenos Aires. The German lawyer is the first IOC member to declare his intention to take over from Belgium's Rogge who is retiring after 12 years in charge of the Olympic movement.

In a statement the current IOC vice-president and a 1976 Olympic fencing gold medalist declared, "I am humbly aware of the magnitude of the task of an IOC president.

"At the same time, in honorary positions and throughout my professional career, I have gained a wealth of management and leadership experience in national and international sports, economics, politics, law and society.

"This is why I feel well-prepared."

Bach plans to run for the post under the banner "Unity in Diversity."

AFP - Global Times