Belgian surgeon chosen to head International Olympic Committee

Many athletes have welcomed the fact that, as a former international competitor, [Jacques Rogge] will be sympathetic to the pressures they face. Praise has also come in at a political level, with European Union Sports Commissioner Viviane Redding hailing Rogge's victory as "good news both for world sport and Europe". Rogge was believed to be the personal favourite of [Juan Antonio Samaranch]. But within hours of his election, the Belgian made it clear that he would run the IOC according to his own style-and this includes staying in the athletes' village during next year's Winter Games in Salt Lake City, USA.