Scotland’s most influential sports administrator has gained election to one of the most powerful committees in world sport.

Sir Craig Reedie will join the International Olympic Committee’s executive board, following a tense round of voting on the final day of the IOC Session in Copenhagen.

It is the first time in almost 50 years that the United Kingdom has had a representative and it means a valuable British voice at the top table of Olympic decision-making in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics in London.

Reedie narrowly failed in his bid to join the executive board in Beijing last year but won through four rounds of voting, beating Ireland's Patrick Hickey, the chairman of the European Olympic Committee, in the last ballot by 52 votes to 39.

"Thank you colleagues for your declaration of support," he said.

"I look forward to working on the executive board, particularly on the build up to the Olympic Games in London."

An accountant by trade, Reedie served a president of the International Badminton Federation between 1981 and 1984 and played a major role in securing the sport a place on the Olympic schedule.

He was elected chairman of the British Olympic Association in 1992 and joined the International Olympic Committee two years later.

He was knighted in 2005 for his services to sport, including playing a major role in London's successful 2012 Olympic bid.

Earlier, Jacques Rogge was reelected as President of the International Olympic Committee while Italy's Mario Pescante and Singapore's Ser Miang Ng were confirmed as vice-presidents while Australia's John Coates will also join the executive board.