Jacques Rogge has confirmed the worst-kept secret in the Olympic world - he's running for another term as president of the International Olympic Committee.

The 66-year-old Belgian, a former orthopedic surgeon, sent a letter to IOC members today confirming his decision to stand for re-election in October 2009, IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said.

Rogge was elected as the IOC's eighth president in July 2001 in Moscow. He succeeded Juan Antonio Samaranch, a Spaniard who served for 21 years.

Rogge's eight-year term expires in 2009, and he is eligible for a second term of four years. No other candidates are expected, with Rogge virtually assured of being re-elected unopposed at the election next October at the IOC general assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark.

His decision to seek another term has been considered a foregone conclusion. Rogge had said he would make his decision after the Beijing Olympics and by the end of October.

"He's going to do four more years," French IOC member Jean Claude-Killy told The Associated Press.

"Why not? He has done a very good job. I see absolutely no reason to change whatsoever."

As president, Rogge has overseen four Olympics - the Winter Games in 2002 (Salt Lake City) and 2006 (Turin) and Summer Olympics in 2004 (Athens) and Beijing. A second term would take him through the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

During his first term, Rogge has pursued a hard line on doping, created the Youth Olympic Games and pushed through changes in the sports program, including the dropping of softball and baseball.

Future presidential hopefuls are content to let Rogge serve another term before running in a contested election in 2013.

Leading potential contenders include IOC vice president Thomas Bach of Germany, executive board member Richard Carrion of Puerto Rico and Sergei Bubka of Ukraine.

"I congratulate him on this decision," Bach said. "He has my support and the full support of his colleagues."

Stephen Wilson
AP