Fencing gold medalist from Germany elected International Olympic Committee president

Sept. 9, 2013: Thomas Bach, vice president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), attends a report session during the 125th IOC session in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (AP)

Thomas Bach has been elected president of the International Olympic Committee.

Bach, a 59-year-old German lawyer, succeeds Jacques Rogge, the Belgian who is stepping down after 12 years as head of the Olympic body.

Bach, the long-time favorite, defeated five rival candidates in Tuesday's secret balloting. He secured a winning majority in the second round.

A former Olympic fencing gold medalist, Bach becomes the ninth president in the 119-year history of the IOC. He is the eighth European to hold the presidency.