Emotional Tribute From Afghanistan for Bach

Emotional Tribute From Afghanistan for Bach

by Philip Barker

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has received an emotional tribute from Afghan IOC member Samira Asghari at the IOC Session in Costa Navarino.

It came after a proposal to make him Honorary Life President was tabled.

“When it comes to gender equality, human rights and in particular human rights, you are our champion,” Asghari told members.

“When everyone forgets about Afghanistan, when all the leaders around the world forgot Afghanistan, under your leadership, we had our women everywhere, even until today, in Afghanistan it is unbelievable this disaster, but tbe people of Afghanistan are thankful to the Olympic Movement, in particular to your support, and we hope that the new President will also support women around the world.”

IOC Vice President Nicole Hoevertsz had made the formal proposal to the session.

“Thomas Bach has truly served our organisation, in essence he played a crucial role in modernising the Olympic movement and ensuring it is relevant in the 21st Century” she said.

I would like you to stand still and realise that while we are here appropriately in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, we are more than simply finalising this IOC session.

It marks the end of an era as we soon bid farewell to President Thomas Bach,

I believe that it is the appropriate moment to present to you a proposal to appoint President Thomas Bach as Honorary President for Life.”

Bach was one of the first members of the athletes working group at the 1981 IOC Congress in Baden Baden and a member of the inaugural Athletes’ Commission. He became a full member of the IOC in 1991.

Before becoming President in 2013, he had served on the Executive Board and been an IOC Vice President.

“President Bach has served as the guiding force of the Olympic movement, dedicating his unwavering commitment to the ideals of sport and international cooperation. During his tenure, President Bach navigated the complex landscape of global sports with remarkable resilience and foresight. He leaves an indelible mark on the Olympic Movement strengthening its foundations for generations to come,” Hoevertsz added.

The proposal was greeted by a standing ovation.

“I am grateful that after my career as an athlete, I could continue to live my passion for sport,” Bach responded.

Bach is to become Honorary President after handing over the keys to Olympic House to his successor on June 23rd which is Olympic Day.

Exactly a century ago at the IOC Session in Prague, a similar tribute was bestowed on Baron Pierre de Coubertin after a proposal by American member Charles Sherrill.

With the exception of Count Henri Baillet Latour who died in office, every subsequent IOC President has been accorded the honour.

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