“It is very good news, the IOC is moving into the future, she has so much support from the membership, we will all walk behind her,” he said.
Coe appeared to be seen by Bach as the disruptor candidate, which is perhaps surprising given many would view him as an establishment figure.
His low score will be a bitter blow to the two-time 1,500 metres Olympic champion who is accustomed to success.
He took the dashing of his dream on the chin, though, grinning when asked if it had been a clean fight and replying: “It was an election.”
“I am really pleased for Kirsty, it is really good there is an athlete at the top of the organisation.”
One of the major problems the new president will face will be the return to the Olympic fold of Russia. In Paris last year their athletes were forced to competed under a neutral banner, owing to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyaryov, who is also head of the national Olympic committee, congratulated Coventry.
“We look forward to a stronger, more independent, and more prosperous Olympic movement under a new leader, and to Russia returning to the Olympic podium,” he wrote on his Telegram account.
