And even if the Government of Norway does ultimately provide an endorsement for the bid later this year, which it is yet to do but some now believe will happen, the anti-Olympic lobby will not disappear and protests are likely to take place every time the O-word is uttered. Given the fact that many of these protests are directly against the IOC members who would ultimately decide on Oslo's fate at the Session in Kuala Lumpur in 12 months' time, it is harder than ever to see the Norwegian capital being ultimately awarded the Games.

The bids of the other two candidates are equally as fascinating.

Almaty also revealed the first signs of mortality in what has been a hitherto flawless campaign. The IOC Working Group ranked many of the technical aspects of their bid surprisingly lowly, and this is a reminder that their team does not have the experience of the two rivals who have hosted Olympic Games in the past. But remember that neither London nor Rio de Janeiro had the best technical bid in the races for the 2012 and 2016 Summer Games respectively, and Almaty remains for me the clear favourite at this middling stage of the contest.

Beijing meanwhile, seemingly bid for 2022 predominantly as a warm-up for a more serious attempt for 2026. But with its rivals falling by the wayside and the main opposition coming from a fellow Asian city, deeming it less likely for Asia to be awarded the Games again in four years' time, the Chinese are beginning to realise their best chance could come in this earlier edition.

Plenty more twists and turns lie ahead.

On the second day of the three-day affair, the IOC turned their attention to two other issues that have formed a backbone of Agenda 2020: namely autonomy and non-discrimination. This was seen by the decision not to sanction the Pakistan Olympic Association after it promised to conform to a series of demands, as well as the requesting of a meeting with Government representatives from The Gambia after similar disputes between the Government and the National Olympic Committee of the West African country.

Achieving positive change in NOCs including Pakistan was another aim of the meeting
©Getty Images





A stern warning was also given to the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WSBC) following the removal of the Israeli flag and Federation name plate at the WSBC Congress in Hammamet, Tunisia earlier this year. More than anything else, this provided an opportunity for the IOC to reuse its reference to "non-discrimination in the Olympic Charter" that was wheeled out on virtually a daily basis during the Russian-anti-gay-rights-legislation-dominated build-up to Sochi 2014.

A boost was also provided for South Sudan, following the news that an athlete from the world's newest country will compete under the Olympic flag at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing next month. But there was less positive news for the other country currently battling for Olympic inclusion, as the issue of Kosovo's IOC membership seemingly failed to feature prominently in the Executive Board discussion.

Albeit to a lesser extent than at the last meeting three months ago on the sidelines of the SportAccord Convention in Belek, something that did feature more prominently was preparations for Rio 2016.

As with the 2022 race, plenty more trials and tribulations lie ahead for the IOC before the Games open in two years' time, but it is clear that many concerns are beginning to be addressed, particularly after construction finally began in the much-maligned Deodoro Cluster earlier this month. The main worries expressed by Bach in Lausanne related to issues which dominate the build-up to every Games, such as measures to avoid ticketing scandals.

And the biggest challenge for bid leader Carlos Nuzman in his fleeting one-day visit last week undoubtedly turned out to be sitting in between Mr and Mrs Bach, and close to IOC Athletes' Commission chair Claudia Bokel, for a certain World Cup semi-final match in Belo Horizonte.

As for Mr Bach, the week provided another chance to watch what must surely be one of the world's best political operators in action. Whether he was joking with journalists about the football, or making light-hearted quips about Belgians in front of Presidential predecessor Jacques Rogge, Bach seems to always get the balance right and always appear to have time to speak to everybody.

Terrible as some of them may be, I have also yet to hear one of his trademark jokes backfire.  

As his swift departure to Rio for the World Cup final proved, Bach's insatiable appetite for racking up the air miles and visiting as many countries as possible is showing no sign of slowing, as his first year at the helm nears its end.

Thomas Bach left Lausanne to check out Rio 2016 preparations first-hand in a visit which also took in the World Cup final ©AFP/Getty Images





But, at the end of the day, leaders are remembered for what they do rather than what they say, and for all the charm and bluster of a Tony Blair or a Barack Obama, their respective tenures in charge of Great Britain and the United States have been limited by their inability to bring about real and radical changes.

Judgement day in this regard for Bach will come in December when Agenda 2020 reaches a conclusion.

As preparations continue for the Olympic Summit in the Swiss city on Saturday (July 19), there was relatively little to report as far as Agenda 2020 is concerned last week. Everyone has been consulted, each of the Working Groups have now met, and a deliberation process is underway ahead of the landmark IOC Session on December 8 and 9 in Monte Carlo in which decisions will be taken.

But, although he resisted any opportunity to show national allegiance with an uncharacteristic stubborn streak in Lausanne, Bach will be approaching the Summit and the remainder of the reform process with the same confidence shown by Germany over the last week.

For the IOC still have many challenges ahead, with Rio 2016 and the 2022 Winter Olympics two of the more prominent ones. But, as attention returns to the sports field next week with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow swiftly followed by the second Summer Youth Olympics in Nanjing, with the affable German at the helm the IOC appears well placed to negate all future challenges.

Nick Butler is a reporter for insidethegames. To follow him on Twitter click here