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. The only set-piece campaign event before the March 20 election in Greece lets each candidate make a 15-minute presentation that will not be broadcast and is open only to IOC members.

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.

Behind closed doors, seven candidates presented their case for why they should become the next president of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday. In the private session with IOC members, the six men and one woman vying for the top job in sports used 15 minutes to present their vision for the global organization.

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.

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

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.