Peter Dunne, the president of the Bermuda Olympic Association, has hailed the election of Kirsty Coventry as president of the International Olympic Committee.

Coventry became the first woman and the first African to lead the IOC after earning enough votes for an overall majority in the first round of voting at a luxury hotel in a seaside resort about 60 miles south of the Greek town of Olympia.

Dunne, who was recently elected as BOA president for a second term, welcomed the appointment.

“This is an exciting time for the Olympic movement, having the first female president of the organisation,” Dunne said.

“We know that president Coventry will bring new enthusiasm to the office while continuing the good work of president Bach. With a decisive win in the first round of voting, it is clear that the new president carried the support of the Olympic community.

“We look forward to her leading all of us in the Olympic movement.”

Coventry, the only female among the seven candidates vying for the top IOC job. has a huge to-do list but promised during her election campaign to protect female sport, which included the backing of a blanket ban of transgender women from competing in female Olympic sport.

The former swimmer, who comes from Zimbabwe and won gold in the 200m backstroke at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the 2008 Games in Beijing, called her election victory “a dream come true”.

“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamt of this moment,” Coventry said.

“I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC president and also the first from Africa.

“I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model.”