Jacques Roge | Photo: SOK
Jacques Roge, former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and author of the idea for the Youth Olympic Games, passed away on Sunday at the age of 79, the IOC said. The IOC did not comment on the cause of Roge’s death and asked for respect for family privacy. Roge was married to his wife Anna. They gave birth to a son and a daughter.
Roge served as president of the IOC from 2001 to 2013, replacing his predecessor, Juan Antonio Samaranca. Roge had previously chaired the Belgian Olympic Committee. During his career as an athlete, Roge competed in sailing at the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Olympics. He also played rugby in the national team.
“The entire Olympic movement is mourning the loss of such a fanatical man,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “We all know how much Jacques loved to be in the community of athletes. He passed on his great passion for sport to everyone he met. ” Bach stressed that Roge was a great president of the IOC, who helped the umbrella organization to become more modern.
Roge helped restore the IOC’s prestige to the public following the outbreak of the 2002 Winter Olympics bribery scandal involving Unjon Kim, the IOC’s presidential candidate. During his presidency, Roge actively fought against doping and in 2010 saw the realization of his idea of watching the Youth Olympics. The IOC has already announced that the flag will be lowered to half-mast at its headquarters in Lausanne. A commemorative event is also planned soon.
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