The German, a lawyer and former fencing champion who won an Olympic gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Games, is considered the favourite to succeed Rogge.

The 56-year-old, who is also the President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and is playing a leading role in Munich's bid to host the 2018 Olympics, was the only candidate for the post and was re-elected by 80 votes to 14.

Bach said: "I am overwhelmed by this expression of confidence and friendship."

Rogge, who was elected to replace Juan Antonio Samaranch in Moscow in 2001, has promised to step down in three years when a new leader will be elected at the Session in Buenos Aires.

Apart from Bach other potential candidates could include Puerto Rico's Richard Carrion, the chairman of the IOC's Finance Commission, and Morocco's Nawal El Moutawakel, who has chaired the IOC's Evaluation Commissions for the last two Olympics, which were awarded to London and Rio de Janeiro respectively.

The IOC also elected six new members, including Pat McQuaid, the President of the International Cycling Union (UCI).

The others are Prince Faisal bin Al-Hussein, President of the Jordanian Olympic Committee; International Triathlon Union chief Marisol Casado; New Zealand's Barry Maister, a former Olympic hockey champion; Ethiopia's Dagmawit Girmay Berhane, and Chinese Olympic speed skating champion Yang Yang.

Prince Faisal's election means he joins his sister Princess Haya, the President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), on the IOC.

The new additions bring the total number of IOC members to 114.

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