Candidates for the International Olympic Committee presidency make their pitch for the job:: Lausanne, Switzerland:: Sebastian Coe, World Athletics Chief and Former Olympic champion "There are challenges,

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Behind closed doors on Thursday, seven candidates hoping to lead the International Olympic Committee are making key pitches to an exclusive club of more than 100 voters.

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.

Lord Coe says his pitch to be the first British president of the International Olympic Committee "seems to have landed well".

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.

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Seven candidates vie for IOC's presidency, presenting visions from simultaneous continental Games to governance changes. With diverse backgrounds, including Olympic champions and federation chiefs, they address the IOC members ahead of the March 2022 election.

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.