Lamour also resigned as WADA vice president and claimed WADA had violated its own election procedures by letting Fahey into the race.

And that was just the start of the story.

Rumors over election were rampant during the three-day World Anti-Doping Conference where representatives were supposed to sit together talking about fights against doping.

Speculation reached its peak at the eve of the election when reports came out that European governments nominated Guy Drut as a last minute alternative candidate.

"I was encouraged to calm down the game... and ready to participate if needed," said Drut, ex-French minister for sports and also a former Olympic champion.

Pound clarified later on Friday that there was "only one candidate remaining and no opportunity to add candidates", citing that the nomination process was closed by September 20.

Fahey was premier of New South Wales state in Australia from 1992-1995, and served as federal finance minister from 1996 until his retirement from politics in 2001 for health reasons.

Although he led Sydney's successful bid for the 2000 Olympics and has worked with some sport bodies, he still questioned as having little sports management or anti-doping experience.

But IOC president Jacques Rogge has said Fahey should be given time to prove himself.