Behind closed doors at the IOC seven candidates hoping to lead the Olympic body are making key pitches to an exclusive club of more than 100 voters.

Candidates for the world's most powerful job in global sport -- the presidency of the International Olympic Committee -- unveiled their plans and vision for the Games in a brief presentation to the IOC membership on Thursday (January 30).

When the IOC's 100-plus members, who include billionaires, global captains of industry, federation chiefs and royalty, go to the ballot in Greece on March 20 they will be effectively deciding on the direction much of the world of sport will take for the next eight years.

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.

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.