The 44-year-old was put forward by the Italian Winter Sports Association with a decision set to be taken at the FIS Congress in Bratislava which begins on Friday (June 15).

Zöggeler will battle against Walter Corey, currently high performance director at Luge Canada, for the position, with both men bidding to replace Einars Fogelis of Latvia.

Foegelis is departing the role to take over as secretary general from departing American Svein Romstad.

Zöggeler is the only winter athlete to have won a medal at six editions of the Olympic Games.

His haul includes two golds in men's singles, from Salt Lake City 2002 and Turin 2006.

He also won bronze at Lillehammer 1994, Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014 and silver at Nagano 1998.

In addition, the Italian won six World Championship titles during his career, as well as four European gold medals.

He won the FIL World Cup title on 10 occasions. 

Zöggeler was unsuccessful in his bid to be elected to the International Olympic Committee's Athletes' Commission at the Pyeongchang 2018 Games in February.

Finnish ice hockey player Emma Terho and American cross-country skier Kikkan Randall both won roles with the luger receiving 761 votes to place fifth.