COSTA NAVARINO, Greece, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Outgoing International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach said he was "very much relieved" to see IOC members unite behind Kirsty Coventry as they elected the Zimbabwean as his successor.

Coventry, 41, became the IOC's first female and first African president in its 130-year history after emerging victorious in the first round of voting on Thursday. She won an overall majority in the secret ballot with 49 of the 97 available votes.

Bach said the fact the IOC's nine previous presidents had been eight Europeans and one American did not reflect the reality of a global organization like the IOC.

"I am very much relieved by the unity that the election result demonstrated," he told a press conference on Friday.

"This important pillar for the success of the Olympic movement has been strengthened. This is why you see me happy, relaxed and relieved."

Coventry, who will officially take office on June 24, had breakfast with Bach on Friday morning to discuss the transition period.

Bach insisted Coventry would have the final say during that period on any issues if their opinions differ.

"It depends greatly on the president-elect and new president," he said.

As Africa has not hosted an Olympic Games yet, its hopes for a future bid have surged with Coventry's landmark appointment. While Bach declined to speculate on hosting prospects, he expressed confidence in his successor.

"She is used to living with them (expectations)," said the 71-year-old German.

"It helps, having been an athlete, you know how to deal with high expectations and to know expectations are only a pressure if it's your own expectations.

"If you have a clear compass, and this is what she has, then I have no doubt she can cope with these expectations and can even exceed these expectations Africa might have in her," he said. Enditem