The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session begins in Buenos Aires next Saturday with a packed program principally revolving round three votes.
Not since Moscow in 2001 when the host city for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games - which went to Beijing - and the election to replace the retiring IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch - Jacques Rogge being anointed - have the 103 members had so many pivotal decisions to take.
AFP looks at the three votes due to take place:
2020 Summer Olympics - vote September 7
A fascinating and fluctuating three horse race will reach its climax with one IOC member saying "it is too close to call and will go down to how effective the final lobbying is". Comparisons with the vote in 2005 have been made when then British Prime Minister Tony Blair did a stunning job in charming the members, while then French President Jacques Chirac arrived on the eve of the vote seemingly confident Paris had it in the bag, was put down as one of the main reasons London stunned long-considered frontrunners Paris for the 2012 Games. Tokyo, the only one to have previously hosted the Games in 1964, would normally be considered a surefire winner but has failed to convince, Istanbul has put together a dynamic campaign and provides the 'story' which many members like in that it would be the first predominantly Islamic country to host the Games, while Madrid have defied the dire state of the Spanish economy and fought back with a standout technical presentation earlier this year to gain the momentum that might yet see them edge the race after finishing third and then second for the 2012 and 2016 Games respectively.
Note - IOC members from the countries with cities as candidates cannot vote unless their city is voted out
Sport for 2020 Games - vote September 8
The shock that greeted the ousting of wrestling from the sports for the 2020 Games in February prompted the unlikeliest of countries such as sworn political enemies Iran and the United States to join forces to get it restored. A highly-effective campaign - including sweeping reforms - spearheaded by the wrestling federation's charismatic Serbian president Nenad Lalovic has all but assured them of regaining their place at the 2020 Games. Many members believe that if the sport at risk had been modern pentathlon - as had been widely expected - then squash would be looking at being admitted to the Games as they have made huge steps in making it TV friendly since they failed in their bid to be put on the roster for the 2016 Games. The strategy of baseball joining forces with softball - both as individual sports were voted off the programme for the 2012 Games - has failed to capture the imagination.
IOC President - September 10
An all male six member cast - none from Africa - are bidding to replace Belgian Jacques Rogge as he steps down after a largely highly successful 12 year spell in office. Two Asians - Ng Ser Miang of Singapore and Taiwan's CK Wu - are trying to become only the second non European, the hugely controversial American Avery Brundage ran it from 1952-72, to head the sporting world's most powerful organisation. Charismatic Puerto Rican banker and philanthropist Richard Carrion is also a contender from outside Europe and if it was to be voted on by a wider electorate looking for a more flamboyant touch he might well prevail. However, IOC members have long memories and several snipe that after years of ignoring them he only started talking to them once he decided to run. The way seems clear for the man who has been perceived as the heir to the throne for years, German lawyer Thomas Bach, the only one of the candidates to have stood on the top step of the Olympic medals podium - tean fencing foil gold in 1976. Bright, charming, not without humour, and politically astute he looks set to be a safe if unspectacular pair of hands that the future of the organisation is placed in.
