Singapore's Ng Ser Miang entered the race for IOC president on Thursday, seeking to become the first Asian to hold the most powerful job in the Olympic movement.
The 64-year-old Ng announced his candidacy at the Sorbonne in Paris, a highly symbolic venue where the IOC and modern Olympics were founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin.
Ng, an IOC vice president, became the second declared candidate for the top job after Germany's Thomas Bach announced his candidacy last week in Frankfurt.
At least three other members are expected to run to succeed Jacques Rogge, who steps down in September after 12 years as president of the International Olympic Committee.
Ng is a strong representative from Asia, a continent with growing economic, political and sporting influence on the world stage. All but one of the IOC's eight presidents since 1894 have come from Europe, with Avery Brundage of the United States the only exception.
"I come from Singapore, a multi-racial, multi-cultural society whose success is based on teamwork," Ng said. "I am proud to be Asian, but I am also a global citizen."
Another Asian member, CK Wu of Taiwan, is also expected to enter the race soon. Wu is head of the international amateur boxing association.
"The Olympic movement faces a new and rapidly changing world," Ng said. "The IOC will require a leader with a universal perspective and an inclusive, cooperative leadership style."
Wu, Richard Carrion of Puerto Rico and Sergei Bubka of Ukraine are expected to announce their candidacies in the next two weeks. Swiss member Denis Oswald is also weighing his options.
The official deadline for candidacies is June 10, exactly three months before the election in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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