Brigitte Henriques is the first woman to lead the CNOSF ©Getty Images

Brigitte Henriques has been elected as the new President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), becoming the first woman to secure the role in the organisation’s 49-year history.

The French Football Federation vice-president polled 57.78 per cent of the votes cast in the first round of voting at the CNOSF General Assembly to claim a convincing victory.

Henriques now replaces Denis Masseglia, who stands down after 12 years in charge of the CNOSF.

Thierry Rey, an Olympic judo gold medallist at Moscow 1980, was Henriques’ nearest challenger with 19.26 per cent of the votes, while Emmanuelle Bonnet-Oulaldj polled 16 per cent and Patrice Martin 6.82 per cent.

The 50-year-old former footballer is set to play a key role in preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"I want to dedicate this victory to all women, first and foremost to my daughters Barbara and Fanny but also to Garance Oulaldj because she can be proud of her mother," said Henriques following her election victory.

Henriques has created a programme to implement, which is based around 121 measures with the ambition of "raising France up in sport".

A total of 108 member federations of the CNOSF took part in the vote, along with Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet and International Olympic Committee members Guy Drut and Jean-Christophe Rolland.

Bonnet-Oulaldj is co-President of the Workers' Sports and Gymnastics Federation, a grassroots body, and was the only candidate not directly affiliated with one sport.

Brigitte Henriques played for the French women's football team before going on to become vice-president of the French Football Federation ©Getty Images
Brigitte Henriques played for the French women's football team before going on to become vice-president of the French Football Federation ©Getty Images

"I obviously congratulate Brigitte Henriques for this very good election in the first round," said Bonnet-Oulaldj.

"For my part, I am very happy with this score.

"It was an unprecedented application for my federation."

Waterski legend Martin won 12 world titles and 34 European titles as an athlete before going on to become President of the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation European Confederation.

"I would like to congratulate Brigitte on her brilliant election," said Martin.

"Afterwards, I find it difficult to take defeats.

"I'm not used to defeats, it's hard.

"I haven't learned how to have a lot.

"We will work positively and we will see what the future prepares us in the coming months with Brigitte Henriques."

Henriques is the fifth President of the CNOSF, following in the footsteps of Masseglia, Henri Sérandour, Nelson Paillou and Claude Collard.