Bookmakers' favourite Bach fended off competition from Richard Carrión, Ng Ser Miang, Denis Oswald, Sergey Bubka and CK Wu to take over from Jacques Rogge and become the first German IOC President at the IOC Session in Buenos Aires.

"On behalf of the Paralympic Movement I would like to congratulate Thomas Bach on his election to succeed Jacques Rogge as IOC President," said IPC President Sir Philip Craven, who as an IOC member had a vote in the election.

"Thomas is a long-time advocate of the Paralympic Movement and we look forward to working with him to further develop our relationship in the coming years."

Thomas Bach embraced Jacques Rogge as he succeeded the Belgian as President of the IOC

Sir Philip also reserved praise for Rogge, whose 12-year spell as IOC President came to an end with the closing of the Session today.

"President Rogge was elected in 2001, the same year I became IPC President, and over the last 12 years we have both worked together for the benefit of both our Movements," he said.

"The relationship between our two organisations has never been stronger.

At the previous IOC Session in London last July, Rogge and Sir Philip signed an extension to the IOC-IPC Cooperation Agreement, originally signed in 2006, which ensures that the Paralympic Games will be held parallel to the Olympic Games through to the 2020 Games, which will be held in Tokyo.

Sir Philip Craven also sent regards to Jacques Rogge, who he believes has had a significant role in the growth of the Paralympic Movement

"Without his support, the Paralympic Games would not be the sporting spectacle it is today nor would they have grown in to the world's third biggest sporting event," Sir Philip Craven said.