Belgian Jacques Rogge was elected president of the International Olympic Committee today after winning a hotly contested election.
Rogge secured victory in the second round of voting after a ballot at Moscow's World Trade Centre. The 59-year-old orthopaedic surgeon replaces long-serving Spaniard Juan Antonio Samaranch, who stepped down from the post after 21 years in charge.
The final result was announced after IOC members moved to the Kremlin's Column Hall, scene of Samaranch's election to the presidency in 1980.
Rogge was elected for an eight-year term ahead of South Korean rival Kim Un-Yong, Canada's Dick Pound and Hungarian Pal Schmitt.
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American Anita Defrantz had been eliminated from the contest after the first round of voting.
AFP