New IOC Leader to Be Tested Quickly by Sochi, Rio New IOC President Thomas Bach will be tested quickly by two troublesome Olympics: the Winter Games less than five months away in the southern Russian resort of Sochi, and the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro - still three years away but setting off alarms. Bach was elected to the top job on Tuesday, replacing Jacques Rogge as head of the International Olympic Committee. One of the first phone calls he received was from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is staking his prestige on the Sochi Games. "He congratulated and (said) there would be close cooperation to make (sure of) the success of the Sochi Games," Bach said. "We have the assurances of the highest authorities in Russia that we trust," Bach told The Associated Press. At his first news conference as president, Bach was asked how the IOC would deal with human rights issues in host countries. Then he hedged. And there we also have to protect the athletes. Rio looms large after Sochi. IOC inspectors visiting just over a week ago said slow progress was being made in preparations for the 2016 Games and warned that things need to be speeded up. Carlos Nuzman, head of the Rio organizing committee, was grilled Sunday by IOC members worried about building delays, lack of local sponsorship money, and planning squabbles between the federal, state and local governments. There are worries about infrastructure projects including a revamped port and a late start building one of the four main hubs for the games. Demonstrations are also a concern, particularly after daily protests in June at the Confederations Cup with many Brazilians asking why the government is spending billions on big sports events in a country with stark inequalities, high taxes and poor public services. "We are three years ... from Rio and we will make sure that we have very close coordination with the organizing committee, and also with the governmental authorities," Bach said. There are, of course, some issues. I hope also that in the not too far future - I don't know when - that I can visit Rio and get a firsthand impression. Bach, the longtime favorite, defeated five candidates in Tuesday's secret ballot. The former Olympic fencer received 49 votes. Richard Carrion of Puerto Rico was second with 29 in a six-candidate field.