Kirsty Coventry was elected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday. Coventry became the first woman to be chosen for the global sports post and also the first African to be named the president of the IOC.

Thomas Bach ‘relieved’ as IOC members vote in Kirsty Coventry as his successor - Coventry has been seen by many observers as the continuity candidate.

The stunning first-round election of Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry as the next International Olympic Committee president made her the first female and first African to lead the IOC but more importantly ensured continuity once Thomas Bach departs in June.