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≡ 144th IOC SESSION ≡
“The success of this IOC Session is fully secured. We had a rainy Opening Ceremony in Paris just before spectacular Olympic Games; we had a rainy inauguration of the Notre Dame Cathedral and the renovation proved to be a resounding success. And here we are, the rain is back with us. Nothing can go wrong anymore.”
That was International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (GER) at the rainy opening of the 144th IOC Session in Greece, during Tuesday’s ceremony in Olympia, site of the original Olympic Games of antiquity.
But Bach had a larger message to deliver, as his successor will be elected on Thursday: listen to what Pierre de Coubertin, the French activist who revived the Games at the end of the 19th Century, wanted to achieve:
● “Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Over 2,800 years ago, Greece created this unique gift to all humankind. Right here in this sacred place, the Olympic Games were first celebrated. Already the ancient Olympic Games were built on values, as exemplified by the tradition of the Olympic Truce, the ekecheiria.
“This sacred truce allowed the participation of all athletes and spectators from the Greek city-states, who were otherwise almost constantly engaged in wars and conflict. Already then, there was this inseparable link between the Olympic Games and peace.”
● “It took almost 2,000 years before the Olympic Games could be revived by Pierre de Coubertin. When he did so 131 years ago, as a young man – at the age of just 29 years – the values of sport were central to his thinking. He wanted to make the world a better place through sport and its values.
“He saw the Olympic Games as a way to promote peace among nations and people. He said: ‘Should the institution of the Olympic Games prosper, it can become a potent factor in securing universal peace.’”
● “In a very hostile geopolitical environment, with nationalism and militarism on the rise, Coubertin managed to establish Olympic Games that brought together athletes from nations that were politically sworn enemies. Then as now, the athletes were ambassadors of peace.
“Then as now, the idea of promoting peace through sport was in stark contrast to the prevailing Zeitgeist. When we see today how Coubertin went against all the divisive and bellicose trends of his time, we can only admire even more his courage and audacity.”
Bach made the point that this concept is the center of the Olympic Movement, and must remain so:
“This peace mission is the legacy that he has entrusted us with. It is these values that make the Olympic Games unique. As guardians, it is our duty to unite around these values. These values that should always remind us: we are part of something greater than ourselves. This is why we always have to put values first. This is our responsibility: to carry these values with humble dignity and pass them on to the next generations.”
Support for the symbolic peace of the Olympic Games has been Bach’s mission during his presidency, which will be remembered as one of the most transformative in Olympic history. He quoted de Coubertin as he closed:
“The Olympic Games are a pilgrimage to the past and an act of faith in the future” and added
“This is exactly what this IOC Session is about. A sacred pilgrimage to our ancient past. A homage to our modern origins and to our founder. And a manifestation of our faith in the future, when we will elect a new President.”
The IOC Session will hear reports on Wednesday – back in Costa Navarino – and will elect the 10th President in IOC history on Thursday.
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