Ex-IOC president Jacques Rogge passes away

LAUSANNE: Jacques Rogge, who spent 12 years as president of the International Olympic Committee, has died at the age of 79, the organisation announced on Sunday without giving details.

Rogge’s health had visibly declined when he attended Olympic events since his presidency ended in 2013.

“It is with great sadness that the International Olympic Committee announces the passing of former IOC President Count Jacques Rogge. He was 79 years old,” said an IOC statement.

Rogge was the eighth president of the IOC, from 2001 to 2013, after which he was succeeded by Thomas Bach.

“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,” said Bach on Sunday.

“The entire Olympic Movement will deeply mourn the loss of a great friend and a passionate fan of sport. He will be remembered particularly for championing youth sport and for inaugurating the Youth Olympic Games.”

Rogge was an orthopaedic surgeon with a degree in sports medicine.

He also played rugby at international level, winning 16 caps for Belgium and became a world champion sailor. It was on the water that he took part in three Olympics in 1968, 1972 and 1976.

After his career as an athlete he became president of the Belgian and European Olympic Committees, and was elected eighth president of the IOC in 2001. After his IOC presidency, he served as a Special Envoy for Youth, Refugees and Sport to the United Nations.

The IOC said the Olympic flag will be flown at half-mast for five days at Olympic House in Lausanne.

Rogge was married to Anne and he leaves behind a son, a daughter and two grandchildren.