The governing body submitted its recognition request file to the IOC in August last year, with acceptance paving the way for potential inclusion at the Olympic Games in future.

Lawn bowls is already an established event at the Commonwealth Games, but the sport's efforts for IOC recognition were previously hindered by a requirement for 75 affiliated countries. 

However, this was lowered to just 50 nations to give World Bowls the option of applying.

Both organisations have now agreed "to work together in the spirit of open-armed encouragement and support", according to World Bowls.

Gary Smith, the chief executive of World Bowls, joined Bell in Lausanne while the IOC were represented by sports manager Mike Joyce and two representatives from umbrella body SportAccord.

Bell said the meeting was positive. 

"I’m delighted with the excellent work done to date, along with the meeting in Lausanne," he said,

"The meeting was extremely positive and has given us clear guidelines on how to progress our application. 

"It will hopefully set us on course for achieving our sport’s Olympic dream."

World Bowls will now pursue membership of the SportAccord International Federations' Union.

This application will be submitted to SportAccord’s General Meeting in April 2018, and if successful, the bid for IOC Recognition will be resubmitted to the IOC to be considered by its Executive Board.