The 76-year-old became President of the UOC in 1996 and has won every subsequent election even though during that period Uruguay have won only one Olympic medal, thanks to Milton Wynants in the cycling points race at Sydney in 2000.

At London 2012 their main hopes rested on the men's football team but they disappointed and failed to advance beyond the qualifying rounds, winning only their opening match against the United Arab Emirates.

Uruguay's best performance at London came in the sailing where Alejandro Foglia finished eighth in the laser.

Sailor Alejandro Foglia was Uruguay's best performer at London 2012, finishing eighth in the laser

The poor performances drew criticism from Liliam Kechichián, Uruguay's Minister for Sport and Tourism, who said that the country "could not be satisfied" with the results. 

But Maglione claimed that it would always be difficult for the country to make an impression when they received so little Government funding compared to their rivals.

Maglione, a former national record holder in the 100 and 200 metres butterfly, received 26 of the 31 votes available in the UOC election.

Maglione, an odontologist by profession, has been head of FINA, swimming's world governing body, since 2009 having previously been the organisation's vice-president and honorary treasurer.

He has also served two terms as President of the National Committee of Physical Education and Sport of Uruguay.

Magilione, who has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1996, is currently serving on the IOC Coordination Commission for Rio 2016.

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