European Union Sports Commissioner Viviane Redding congratulated the Belgian on his victory and praised his "fair play, openness and solidarity".

In a statement, she added his appointment was good for "world sport and Europe".

"The election of Jacques Rogge at the head of the IOC means that the European Union will have an ally in the fight against doping at the highest level," she concluded.

Lamine Diack, president of the International Amateur Athletics Federation, also sent his best wishes to Rogge.

He said: "The election of Jacques Rogge as heir to Juan Antonio Samaranch is a sign of continuity in the Olympic movement.

"I am personally convinced that the passion and the competence of my friend Jacques Rogge is a guarantee of future success for the IOC.

"Rogge will be able to lead the IOC with loyalty to tradition and confidence in the new ideas introduced by Samaranch, to whom we all owe a debt of recognition.

"The international athletics movement - which is a fundamental pillar of the Olympic movement - expresses to the new president its best wishes."

Clegg's note of caution

British Olympic Association president Craig Reedie added: "If ever anyone came in with a blameless character, it was Jacques Rogge.

"There are no skeletons in the Rogge cupboard."

But Simon Clegg, BOA Chief Executive, sounded a note of caution.

Clegg told BBC Five Live: "Without a doubt, we have to accept that the Olympic movement has been scarred by the scandals that have gone on over the last few years.

"No major international organisation is without its challenges.

"The IOC has had a relatively clean run for about 100 years - and all of a sudden it has got a lot of major challenges.

"The world's media spotlight will now be on Beijing."