Belgian Jacques Rogge was elected president of the International Olympic Committee in Moscow Monday 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 transferred 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.
American Anita Defrantz had been eliminated from the contest after the first round of voting.
Rogge's victory is a triumph for outgoing supremo Samaranch, who had been working behind the scenes to ensure the Belgian's successful election.
Rogge had been seen as the best candidate to continue reform of the Olympic movement, tarnished by bribery and corruption scandals connected with the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Games.
Rogge, a former world yachting champion who took part in three Olympics and who also represented Belgium at rugby, has been unsullied by any of the sleaze scandals which have rocked the movement earning him the nickname "Dr Clean".
(Chinadaily.com.cn 07/16/2001)
