The most powerful political figure in world sport - IOC President Thomas Bach

Thomas Bach has been elected as the 9th president of the International Olympic Committee in its 119-year history. He is the eighth European to hold the presidency.

Bach became an IOC member in 1991 and has served as vice-president three times. He was also chairman of the legal commission and head of anti-doping investigations.

Bach was born in 1953 in Wurzburg, Franconia, in southern Germany.

"This makes me happy. I want to lead the IOC according to my motto – unity in diversity. I want to be a president for all," said Bach.

"I will do my very best to balance well all the needs of the stakeholders of the Olympic movement. You should know my doors, my ears and my heart are always open to you."

The new president, who won a fencing gold medal in the team foil in 1976 before entering sports marketing and politics, defeated five other candidates in the largest field ever for the role, reflecting the relative scarcity of opportunities to run for the top job and the power it wields.

Speaking before the vote, he said he saw the role as being akin to being the conductor of an orchestra.

"The role of the IOC president is being the conductor of the worldwide orchestra of the members," he said. "He is the conductor of a fascinating orchestra with the members who have so many strengths and you have to allow to play the instrument they prefer and get them in harmony."

Bach has pledged to reduce the cost of bidding for and hosting the Olympic Games, to continue Rogge's drive to connect with a new generation, and fight doping and illegal betting.

But he said his first priority would be to ensure the smooth delivery of the Sochi 2014 Winter Games, which have been subject to building delays, budget overruns and concerns over the warm weather.

Bach also said he would look again at the number of disciplines in each sport on the Olympic programme, potentially opening up space for new sports.

Bach said another priority is to protect the "credibility and integrity of the sports organizations" and give IOC members more power in decision-making.

Click here to read President Bach's speech 

Read President Bach’s biography and manifesto.