Paolo Barelli (right), pictured awarding medals to the Pope in 2009, is standing for another four-years as LEN President ©Getty Images

European Swimming Federation (LEN) President Paolo Barelli will stand against vice-president Erik van Heijningen in a two-horse race for the top position in the continental body, it has been confirmed following closing of the application process.

Barelli, a former Olympic swimmer who competed at Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976 and won a 4x100 metres freestyle relay bronze medal at the 1975 World Championships in Cali, was elected President in 2012 after Luxembourg's Nory Kruchten relinquished the role.

The 61-year-old Senator from Rome has also headed the Italian Swimming Federation since 2000 and served as honorary secretary of FINA since 2009.

Barelli, also President of the Italian Swimming Federation, faced fraud allegations in 2014 after claims a sum of $1 million (£720,000/€916,000) allocated to the national governing body to be spent on the pool used for the 2009 World Championships in Rome were unaccounted for.

He strongly denied the charges and no further action has ever been taken.

Barelli's sole challenger will be van Heijningen, whose plans to stand were exclusively revealed by insidethegames last month.

He is former water polo player and is now President of the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation.

A leading lawyer in The Netherlands, van Heijningen has served on the LEN Bureau since 2006 and was first elected as one it five vice-presidents in 2008.

He also headed the FINA Doping Panel from 2009 to 2013.

Royal Dutch Swimming Federation President Erik van Heijningen is standing against current European Swimming Federation chief Paolo Barelli in a election due to take place in London on May 8 ©LEN
Royal Dutch Swimming Federation President Erik van Heijningen is standing against current European Swimming Federation chief Paolo Barelli in a election due to take place in London on May 8 ©LEN

It had been thought possible further candidates could have emerged ahead of the nominations deadline of February 8.

LEN have confirmed, however, this is not the case.

A "comprehensive list" of candidates for all of the remaining elective positions in the LEN Bureau is due to be publicly disclosed on April 8.

Full details of van Heijninden's campaign - which is being orchestrated by TSE Consulting - are yet to be released.

He has promised to push for reforms and greater transparency.

"The LEN Family will have the opportunity to select a leader who brings an energy and a renewed vision for the future of our sport in Europe," he said in a statement on his campaign website.

"My vision for the future focuses on ensuring that Europe remains a leading force in and out of the pool.

"This is why my vision is built on three key pillars: Progress, Empowerment and Partnerships."

The election is due to be held in London on the eve of the European Championships on May 8.