The IOC will elect a new president this week. Here's what you need to know

Behind closed doors at a resort in Greece, with the cameras turned off, International Olympic Committee (IOC) members will choose a new president on Thursday at the organization's 144th session.

The winner among the seven candidates will lead the largest sporting organization in the world beginning in June when president Thomas Bach, who has held the top job since 2013, steps aside.

One of the biggest items on the new president's to-do list appeared to be checked off earlier this week, when the IOC announced a new U.S. media rights deal with NBC.

The deal, worth $3 billion, will last through at least 2036, when Salt Lake City will host the Winter Olympics. The U.S. rights deal is a major source of revenue for the IOC. 

But they'll have plenty of other issues to tackle, from navigating international diplomacy and conflict, a warming climate, and issues of sport integrity and athlete safety, to making sure the Olympics are accessible to a younger generation more likely to turn to Tik Tok before switching on a TV.

Here's a preview of what to expect, who's running, and why Canadians should care:

Seven people are vying for the presidency, with many seeing Sebastian Coe, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. and Kirsty Coventry as the three frontrunners.

Coe, the World Athletics president, four-time Olympic medallist and London 2012 organizer, has a platform centred around engaging young people, increasing transparency, strengthening the anti-doping system and prioritizing athletes' physical, financial and mental welfare. 

"The biggest challenge faced by the International Olympic Committee is no different and it is not unique from any national Olympic committee, any sporting organization, any club, private or public: it is how do you