Jacques Rogge, IOC President For 12 Years, Dies At 79
Aug 29, 2021, 2:30 PM
Former President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge attends the inauguration of the Olympic truce mural during previews ahead of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games on February 5, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
LONDON (AP) — The International Olympic Committee says Jacques Rogge, who led the organization as president for 12 years, has died.
He was 79.
Rogge was an Olympic sailor and orthopedic surgeon from Belgium.
The IOC announced his passing without giving details.
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.
— Olympics (@Olympics) August 29, 2021
Rogge’s health had visibly declined when he attended Olympic events since his presidency ended in 2013.
IOC president Thomas Bach says Rogge “will be remembered particularly for championing youth sport and for inaugurating the Youth Olympic Games.”
