Olympic Council of Ireland president Pat Hickey has been tipped to be elected to one of the most influential positions in European sport when he runs for the position of secretary general of the European Olympic Committee (EOC) tomorrow in Monaco, writes Johnny Watterson.

Hickey is the favourite to fill the position vacated by Italian Olympic president and sports minister Mario Pescante, who is standing unopposed for the EOC presidency.

Hickey, who earlier this year reasserted his position at the top of the Irish Olympic scene when he defeated sailing's Richard Burrows to retain the presidency of the OCI, will run against Slovakia's Martin Benko.

But with the backing of Pescante and given the generally acknowledged political savvy of both men, Hickey is seen as firm favourite.

Pescante was the unofficial campaign manager of Jaques Rogge, the outgoing EOC president who replaced Juan Antonio Samaranch as head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in July of this year.

He is considered one of the shrewdest political operators in world sport.

If Hickey wins the election, his position will also incorporate the role of EOC treasurer. That would effectively require him to oversee the day-to-day running of the European organisation, which has 50 affiliated countries and currently has a budget of $15 million.

His role as general secretary would probably be dominated by the run-up to the Athens Olympics in 2004.

Insiders say Pescante and Hickey have firm plans to move the European body forward and make full use of its power. "Both men feel the EOC has never fully made use of its standing. Europe is the most important power group in the Olympic movement and both men will use that power," an EOC source said.

"I suspect the EOC under Pescante and Hickey will be a lot different from the EOC under Rogge," he added.

Much will depend on the election of the executive committee, which also takes place tomorrow.