The 56-year-old Italian, who has led the world governing body since 2010, was officially recommended for membership of sport's most exclusive club at the IOC Executive Board meeting earlier this month.

He is set to become the first-ever head of the IBSF, previously known as the Fédération Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing until a name change was approved at last year's Congress, to be granted IOC membership.

Ferriani admitted he had "tears in his eyes" when he was informed of the Executive Board's decision and described being put forward as both an "honour" and a "privilege".

"As a kid, I was growing always with the image of sport and it has been a guideline for my life," he told insidethegames during the organisation's Congress in London.

"When I received the communication that I had been fully proposed as a member I had tears in my eyes.

"For me it is a dream and I want to be absolutely helpful to support sport and the Olympic Movement.

"I am the servant of my federation and I will be the servant of the Olympic Movement.

"It is a privilege and an honour.

"What I want to bring is the credibility about sport - I believe in clean sport and in fairness and we want to help the Olympic Movement’s credibility get stronger."

The Italian also believes being recommended to become an IOC member is a reflection on the work the IBSF has undertaken since he took over from Canadian Robert Storey six years ago.

"Of course, it is a recognition of our work and the good governance changes we have made," Ferriani, appointed as a member of the IOC Coordination Commission for Beijing 2022 in February, added.

"I hope [him being a member] will give a lot of energy to our Movement because we are proud of our work at IBSF.

"It is not just my work, it is everybody’s work."

Ferriani was one of eight new members proposed by the IOC, alongisde Colombia's Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the Inter-American Development Bank, South African film producer Anant Singh and Indian business leader Nita Ambani.

Also recommended for membership are another three women.

They include Finland's Sari Essayah, a former race walker, who was winner of the 10 kilometres event at the 1993 World Championships in Stuttgart.

Essayah will be joined by Tricia Smith, the 59-year-old President of the Canadian Olympic Committee, as well as 45-year-old Auvita Rapilla, secretary general of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee.

The list is completed by the 59-year-old Karl Stoss, President of the Austrian Olympic Committee and managing director of Casinos Austria AG.

The eight people put forward will be officially voted on during the IOC Session, which is due to take place in Rio de Janeiro between August 1 and 4, bringing the total number of members to 99.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and International Association of Athletics Federations counterpart Sebastian Coe were not considered as they were told by IOC head Thomas Bach to wait until at least next year.