Havelange: a similar reign in charge of world football

His death two years ago has left no obvious successor, and uncertainty reigns.

Juan Antonio Samaranch has ruled the IOC for 21 years in the same manner as Havelange and Nebiolo.

Henry Kissinger, who sat on the Reform Commission following the Salt Lake City scandal, noted the firm hand that Samaranch used to keep the members in line.

Rogge will face a host of problems from the first day of his reign.

The unity that marked Samaranch's early presidency will be hard to achieve.

How will the IOC progress without Samaranch?

The vote, albeit secret, will reveal opposing alliances that will need a high degree of political skill to overcome.

Most candidates expressed concern at the "gigantism" of Olympic Games.

But how do you reduce the size without offending some of the international sports federations?

Most IOC members and host bidding cities want visits to be restored under closely supervised conditions.

But how can this be achieved without undermining public confidence even further?

No joy ride

The Reform Commission brought in more members, including athletes, but the system of presidential patronage still remains.

This results in major geographical discrepancies. For example, Switzerland has five members, but Asia, Africa and South America have 51 between them.

The sports federations and the National Olympic Committees, as usual, will be demanding more money. So the new boss must decide how to share it out.

The 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games is bound open the corruption scandal wounds all over again, so how can the internal workings of the IOC be made more accountable and transparent?

Rogge will be called the most powerful leader in world sport, but in spite of the trappings of wealth and influence, the job will be no luxurious joy ride.