Current vice-president Svein Arne Hansen of Norway and the incumbent President Hansjörg Wirz of Switzerland are the two candidates vying for the role to lead, direct and represent European Athletics for the period 2011-2015, which includes next year's Olympics in London.

The election of the President, three vice-presidents and 13 Council members are the central themes of the 22nd European Athletics Congress this weekend.

There are six candidates for vice-presidency and 25 candidates for Council.

This means that half of European Athletics' Member Federations have a candidate for the top decision-making forum of athletics on the continent.

There are also 15 and 14 candidates, respectively, for the four posts on the Competition and Development Committees.
In total, 34 Member Federations have put forward candidates.

European Athletics director general Christian Milz said, "This will be an historic Congress for European Athletics.

"The caliber of candidates for election is outstanding, all 50 European Athletics Member Federations are set to vote, and I am sure that those elected will take our sport in Europe to the next level."

Ed Warner, the chairman of UK Athletics, said, "It's an honour and a privilege to host the European Congress in London.

"Bringing European delegates to our capital just one year before the 2012 Games is a fantastic opportunity to continue the momentum we have felt within the sport."