11 Sep 2013

German picked as new IOC head

10:15 am on 11 September 2013

The International Olympic Committee has elected a new president, current vice-president Thomas Bach.

The German lawyer takes over from Jacques Rogge who is standing down after twelve years in charge.

He was the favourite of the six candidates considered for the post, the BBC reports.

Mr Bach was an Olympic champion at fencing in 1976 and since joining the IOC has been a long-serving member of the policy-making executive board.

"I want to lead the IOC according to my motto 'unity in diversity'," he said. " I want to be a president for all."

Mr Bach has been one of the leaders fighting doping, calling for athletes to be suspended for four years instead of two, Reuters reports.

His selection continues the IOC's preference for European leaders. Just one of the previous nine presidents has been from outside the continent.