The 39-year-old, winner of an Olympic gold medal in the sabre event at Sydney 2000, replaces Alin Petrache, former captain of the national rugby union team.

Covaliu secured 128 votes, with challenger Gabriela Szabo, the Olympic 5,000 metres gold medallist at Sydney 2000 and a three-time world champion, receiving 68.

Petrache, who succeeded Rugby Europe President and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Octavian Morariu in 2014, resigned from the role following the country's poor performance at Rio 2016.

Romania recorded their worst medal haul since Helsinki 1952, winning five medals, only one of which was gold, as they finished in 47th place.

The nation stands to lose one of those Rio 2016 medals, however, after weightlifter Gabriel Sincraian, bronze medallist in the men's 85 kilograms category, tested positive for a banned substance.

The International Weightlifting Federation confirmed the positive test but decisions on stripping medals are made by the IOC and not the sport’s worldwide governing body.

Covaliu, who also won a gold medal at the 2005 World Championships in Leipzig, becomes the 17th head of the COSR.

"I am aware that this feature is a huge responsibility," he said.

George Boroi, commander in chief of the Steaua Army Sports Club, was appointed secretary general of the COSR after he was proposed for the position by the newly-elected President.

His appointment was then ratified by the Executive Committee.

Morariu, a member of the Coordination Commission for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, retained his place as a vice-president.

"I intend to talk to each federation individually, personally, with people who are specialists in sport, to identify are our real chances at the moment that are possibilities to win medals," Covaliu told realitatea.net.

Covaliu is coach of the Romanian men’s sabre team and is also the head of the Romanian Fencing Federation. 

He holds a degree in sports management and is a member of the International Fencing Federation Hall of Fame.