Portrait of the former International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Jacques Rogge. Photo: VCG
Jacques Rogge, former president of the International Olympics Committee (IOC), has died aged 79, the organization announced on Sunday. Chinese netizens mourned Rogge, who had made great contributions to the Olympic Games and highly praised the success of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games during his tenure.
"It is with great sadness that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announces the passing of former IOC President Count Jacques Rogge. He was 79 years old," IOC Media posted on Twitter.
Rogge served as a member of The Belgium national rugby union team and also participated in the Olympic Games in 1968, 1972 and 1976 respectively as part of the Belgium sailing team.
As head of the IOC from 2001 to 2013, he oversaw six Olympic Games starting from the Salt Lake City Games in 2002 and ending with the London Games in 2012. After he was succeeded by Thomas Bach in 2013, he was named as the IOC's honorary president.
Rogge once praised the Beijing Olympic Games as "truly exceptional," at the closing ceremony staged at the National Stadium (commonly known as the Bird's Nest), in Beijing in August2008.
He thanked all the people in China as well as all the volunteers.
"Through these Games, the world learned more about China, and China learned more about the world. Athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees came to these dazzling venues and awed us with their talent."
The Belgian honorary president once had an interview with people.com in 2019, during which he expressed his confidence that the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games would be a success.
"It's the most powerful catalyst you can find to motivate more young athletes to participate in sports," he said, when asked about whether the Winter Olympics would be a chance for China to become a sports power in the future.
Chinese netizens posted tributes to Rogge after they heard the news of his death.
"It's really a regret that Mr Rogge could not see the opening of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics himself," posted one netizen.
Global Times