Jacques Rogge at the Beijing 2001 Summer UniversiadeThe passing of Jacques Rogge, aged 79 years old, was announced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Sunday.
Jacques Rogge was the eight President of the IOC and served from 2001 to 2013, after which he became Honorary President.
On this occasion, FISU wishes to pay tribute to this notable man, who has done so much for the international sports movement.
FISU Secretary-General/CEO, Eric Saintrond says: ”Jacques Rogge has always been close to FISU since his election as IOC President in 2001. He visited the Beijing 2001 Summer Universiade and also attended the inauguration of FISU headquarter in Brussels in 1992 as President of the European Olympic Committee and the inauguration of FISU headquarter in Lausanne in 2012.”
Jacques Rogge and George E. Killian, former FISU President (1999-2011)
Our thoughts go to his spouse, Anne, his son, his daughter and his two grandchildren who he left behind.
Jacques Rogge was an orthopaedic surgeon, specialised in sports medicine.
The lifelong sports enthusiast and accomplished athlete, Jacques Rogge, was a Belgian rugby champion and represented his country on the national team. He was 16-times Belgian national champion and a world champion in sailing. He also participated in three editions of the Olympic Games in sailing, in 1968, 1972 and 1976, in the Finn class.
After his athletic career, he became President of the Belgian and European Olympic Committees, and was elected President of the IOC in 2001. At the end of his Presidency, he was appointed Special Envoy for Youth, Refugees and Sport to the United Nations.
Speaking about his plentiful life, IOC President Thomas Bach recalled: ” First and foremost, Jacques loved sport and being with athletes – and he transmitted this passion to everyone who knew him. His joy in sport was infectious.”
“He was an accomplished President, helping to modernise and transform the IOC. He will be remembered particularly for championing youth sport and for inaugurating the Youth Olympic Games. He was also a fierce proponent of clean sport, and fought tirelessly against the evils of doping.”
“Since we were elected as IOC members together we shared a wonderful bond of friendship, and this continued until his last days, when the entire Olympic Movement and I could still benefit from his contribution, in particular on the Board of the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage.”
“The entire Olympic Movement will deeply mourn the loss of a great friend and a passionate fan of sport.”
As an act of respect, the Olympic flag will be flown as half-mast for five days at Olympic House, the Olympic Museum and in all IOC buildings. The IOC invites all National Olympic Committees as well as all International Federations to do the same in his memory and in his honour.
The family asked that their privacy be preserved during this period of mourning and that all communications go through the IOC.
Following a private family ceremony, a public memorial service will take place later in the year, during which members and friends of the Olympic Movement can remember his life and his immense contribution to sport.