Thomas Bach replaces Jacques Rogge as IOC president

Thomas Bach has been elected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee.

Thomas Bach, a 59-year-old lawyer and former fencing gold medallist, replaces 71-year-old Jacques Rogge, who is standing down after 12 years in charge.

The German was the favorite of the six candidates considered for the post in Buenos Aires.

He begins an eight-year term as president, with the possibility of a second, four-year, mandate.

“I’d like to thank all my dear friends and colleagues who voted for me,” said Thomas Bach, who is the ninth president in the IOC’s 119-year history.

“This is an overwhelming sign of trust and confidence.

“I know of the great responsibility of being IOC president. This makes me humble.

“I want to lead according to my motto: <<unity in diversity>>. This means I will do my very best to balance all the different interests of stakeholders of the Olympic movement.”

Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee, congratulated Thomas Bach on his election success.

“Thomas is a long-time advocate of the Paralympic movement and we look forward to working with him to further develop our relationship in the coming years,” he said.

Also in the running were Singapore’s Ng Ser Miang, Wu Ching Kuo of Taiwan, Richard Carrion of Puerto Rico, Ukrainian athletics legend Sergey Bubka and Swiss Denis Oswald.

Boxing chief Wu Ching Kuo was eliminated after the first round, leaving five contenders in the final round of voting.

Thomas Bach gained 49 votes ahead of Richard Carrion (29), Ng Ser Miang (6), Denis Oswald (5) and Sergey Bubka (4).

Prior to the vote, Thomas Bach said his first priority if elected would be to ensure the smooth delivery of the Sochi 2014 Winter Games, which have been subject to delays, budget overruns and concerns over the warm weather.