The 46-year-old former world number one has already received support from the Royal Belgium Table Tennis Federation and is currently ascertaining his levels of support around the world.

He would hope to build upon the administrative experience he has gleaned as chair of the European Olympic Committees Athletes' Commission.

An election is expected to take place on May 31 during the ITTF World Championships in Düsseldorf.

Current President Thomas Weikert of Germany has already announced his plans to stand there for a fresh four-year term.

"I am very proud and honoured that my Federation today officially supported my intention to run for the position of ITTF President," Saive wrote on his official Facebook page. 

"I am very encouraged by this decision and even more motivated to serve my sport in a new capacity. 

"I will make my final decision in the near future after checking the level of support I could get."

He added to insidethegames how his chances "look very positive so far" and that he should formally announce his bid in January.

Saive, the Belgian flagbearer at both the Atlanta 1996 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games, made his debut aged just 13 and still holds the record for the most World Championship appearances having participated in 24 editions of the flagship ITTF event.

He represented Belgium at seven straight Olympic Games, from the sport’s debut at Seoul 1988 to London 2012. 

Saive was a member of the Belgian team which claimed silver at the World Championships in Osaka in 2001 behind the formidable Chinese and finished his career in the sport with six European Championships medals, including singles gold in Birmingham in 1994.

He juggled sporting and administrative responsibilities by competing at the Baku 2015 European Games before announcing his retirement in December 2015 - although he is still competing in the Belgian Super Division.

He also remains an ITTF Athletes' Commission member and stood to be a member of the International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission during Rio 2016, but finished 18th with just 549 votes in a race in which only the first five were elected.

Fellow former table tennis player Ryu Seung Min, the Athens 2004 Olympic singles champion, was selected as the South Korean representative.

Weikert has been in the ITTF President role since September 2014 but was never elected, instead assuming the position automatically as he was Adham Sharara's deputy when the Canadian stepped down.