Paris (AFP)
Belgian Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 2001 to 2013, died at the age of 79, the instance announced on Sunday.
"It is with great sadness that the International Olympic Committee announces the death of its former president Jacques Rogge. He was 79 years old," said the IOC in its press release.
Rogge was the 8th President in the history of the IOC.
The current president, the German Thomas Bach, succeeded him in 2013.
A former Belgian rugby international, Rogge took part in the Olympic Games three times, in 1968, 1972 and 1976, taking part in the "Finn" sailing events, in which he was world champion.
Before assuming the presidency of the IOC, he headed the Belgian Olympic Committee, as well as the European Olympic Committees, the body which brings together 50 European Olympic Committees.
"Jacques was above all a sports enthusiast who liked to be in contact with athletes, a passion that he passed on to all those who knew him. His joy in sport was communicative", recalled Thomas Bach, quoted in the press release.
"He was an accomplished President who helped modernize and transform the IOC. He will be remembered especially for encouraging the practice of sport among young people and for creating the Youth Olympic Games. He was also a strong advocate clean sport and he fought tirelessly against the scourge of doping ", recalled the current IOC President.
"The entire Olympic movement mourns the loss of a great friend and a sports enthusiast," he concluded.
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