Frenchman Durand, who won gold in the individual jumping competition at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, is the third person to declare they are running for the position.

Ulf Helgstrand was nominated by the Danish Equestrian Federation earlier this week, while Switzerland's Pierre Genecand announced his candidacy in April.

Helgstrand is President of the Danish Equestrian Federation and vice-president of the European Equestrian Federation, while Genecand is a businessman and entrepreneur who breeds horses.

Durand was nominated by the French Equestrian Federation and was a former President of the organisation from 1993 to 1998.

In a statement announcing Durand's candidacy, the French Equestrian Federation said the 59-year-old has the full support of its President, Serge Lecomte, and the Federal Committee.

"The French Equestrian Federation wants a President who can embody the Olympic values ​​effectively and preserve the diversity of international equestrian sports, in respect for the cultures of the five continents," it said.

Durand's triumph in Seoul, where he also won team bronze, was documented in a film released last year called Jappeloup, named after the horse that he partnered to gold in 1988.

The movie told the story of the pair's rise to glory after it initially looked like the partnership would not be a success when Durand was thrown into a jump at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics by the horse which then fled the ring.

The new President of the FEI is due be decided at its General Assembly in Baku on December 14.

Pierre Durand (left) served as President of the French Equestrian Federation from 1993 to 1998 ©Getty Images



Princess Haya had been widely expected to run for a third term as President after being first elected in 2006.

But she unexpectedly announced earlier this month that she would be standing down from the role despite FEI members voting overwhelmingly in April to change its statutes from the two, four-year term limit for Presidents which she had introduced when first elected.

Princess Haya, daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan, is set to lose her International Olympic Committee membership as a result.

Helgstrand, 63, has led the Danish Equestrian Federation since 2003 and claimed he is ready to replace Princess Haya.

"I have thought of this a lot since Princess Haya stated that she is not running for a third period," said the Dane.

"But with the expression of support I have received from several places in the equestrian world, I'm confident that I'm ready for the post and the challenges the equestrian world faces if the National Federations will give me their support."

Potential candidates have until September 1 to declare their interest in going for the role of FEI President.

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