Two former Olympic champions are in the race to be the next IOC president. So is a prince of a Middle East kingdom and the son of a former president. The global leaders of cycling, gymnastics and skiing are also in play.

The International Olympic Committee published a list on Monday of seven would-be candidates who are set to run for election in March to succeed outgoing president Thomas Bach.

Just one woman, IOC executive board member Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe, entered the contest to lead an organisation that has had only male presidents in its 130-year history.

Eight of those presidents were from Europe, and one from the US.

Coventry and Sebastian Coe are two-time Olympic gold medallists in swimming and running, respectively.

Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan is also on the IOC board.

Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, whose father was president for 21 years until 2001, is one of four IOC vice-presidents and is also interested in the top job.

Coe is president of World Athletics, David Lappartient is head of cycling's governing body, Morinari Watanabe leads gymnastics, and Johan Eliasch is president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation.

All seven met a deadline of Sunday to send a letter of intent to Bach, who must leave the post next year after reaching the maximum 12 years in office.

A formal candidate list should be confirmed in January, three months before the March 18-21 election meeting in Greece, near the site of Ancient Olympia.

Only IOC members are eligible to stand as candidates, with votes cast by the rest of the 111-strong membership of the Olympic body.

The IOC is one of the most exclusive clubs in world sports. Its members are drawn from European and Middle East royalty, leaders of international sports bodies, former and current Olympic athletes, politicians and diplomats, plus industrialists, including some billionaires such as Eliasch.