Buenos Aires: Thomas Bach of Germany was elected today as the ninth President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following two rounds of votes at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Bach was chosen over fellow presidential candidates Sergey Bubka (Ukraine), Richard Carrion (Puerto Rico), Ser Miang Ng (Singapore), Denis Oswald (Switzerland) and Ching-kuo Wu (Chinese Taipei).*

“Thank you very much to all of you,” said Bach following his election. “Let us, this great universal orchestra of IOC members, play together in harmony towards a bright future for the Olympic Movement under the leadership of the IOC.”

The new President replaces Jacques Rogge, whose 12-year tenure officially ends at the close of the 125th IOC Session today. The President is elected by the IOC members by secret ballot for a term of eight years, with the possibility to stand for re-election for a second, four-year term.

Voting Results

Round 1:

Thomas Bach: 43

Sergey Bubka: 8

Richard Carrion: 23

Ser Miang Ng: 6

Denis Oswald: 7

Ching-kuo Wu: 6

Round 1 tie-break:

Ser Miang Ng: 56

Ching-kuo Wu: 36

Round 2:

Thomas Bach: 49

Sergey Bubka: 4

Richard Carrion: 29

Ser Miang Ng: 6

Denis Oswald: 5