China News Agency, Beijing, August 30. The International Olympic Committee announced on the 30th Beijing time that the former chairman of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge passed away at the age of 79.
Rogge served as the eighth chairman of the International Olympic Committee from 2001 to 2013, and later as honorary chairman. He used to be an orthopedic surgeon with a degree in sports medicine. He also participated in the three Olympic sailing competitions in 1968, 1972 and 1976.
After the end of his career as an athlete, Rogge became the president of Belgium and the European Olympic Committee, and was elected president of the International Olympic Committee in 2001. When Rogge took office, he said that he would continue to lead the Olympic movement in the right direction. He believed that reasonably controlling the scale of the Olympics and allowing more cities to have the opportunity to host the Olympics is the future development trend of the Olympic movement.
During Rogge’s tenure, three Summer Olympics were held, including the 2004 Athens Olympics, the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics. Rogge once spoke highly of the Beijing Olympics with “unparalleled”. “It is obvious that China has raised the Olympic standard very high.”
Rogge also said that the Beijing Olympic Games left a large amount of material and intangible heritage. From the construction of venues and infrastructure to the vigorous development of the sports industry, everything will bring new opportunities to China.
In 2013, Rogge also served as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Youth, Refugees and Sports after he stepped down as President of the International Olympic Committee. The International Olympic Committee awarded Rogge a “Lifetime Achievement Award” to recognize Rogge’s contribution.
The current International Olympic Committee President Bach said in a statement: “The entire Olympic movement is deeply saddened for the loss of a great friend and passionate sports fan.”
The International Olympic Committee also stated that the Olympic Building, the Olympic Museum and all IOC territories will be flown at half-mast for five consecutive days, and a public memorial service will be held for Rogge later this year. (over)
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