Sailing remained his greatest passion, however, and at 17 he became a junior world champion. (modern). Rogges measured, unpretentious style was in sharp contrast with that of Samaranch. He succeeds Juan Antonio Samaranch, who is stepping down after 21 years in office. He is head of the European Olympic committees and also has held high-profile roles as IOC coordinator of the 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2004 Athens Games, and as vice chairman of the IOC's anti-doping panel. Mr Rogge defeated Kim Un-yong of South Korea, Dick Pound of Canada, Pal Schmitt of Hungary and Anita DeFrantz of the United States. Rogge himself, however, was described as a stiff-collared bureaucrat for criticising the outsized celebrations of their undoubted star, the Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. The International Olympic Committee announced his death without giving details. But the commission said it considered the case closed after receiving a letter from Mr Kim in which he attached a copy of his confidential election programme and stated, "I never proposed any figure in this matter. Mr Rogge's pledge is lent credibility by his IOC track record. Rogge served as president of the Belgian Olympic Committee from 1989 to 1992, and as president of the European Olympic Committees from 1989 to 2001. Wrestling was surprisingly dropped for 2020 in 2012 but was given a second chance and won back its place a year later. Rogge began his presidency by fighting to restore peace within the institution and rebuild its image. The IOCs reserves rose from $100 million to $900 million over 10 years. He is survived by his wife Anne, a radiographer who gave up her own career to support his, and by their son and daughter. He also mended long-broken fences with the US Olympic Committee, improved standards of refereeing, kept up the war on doping, modernised the Games programme by including sports such as sevens rugby and skateboarding, and supported the Paralympic movement. Similarly, while Rogge was forced to row back from promises that China would not censor reporting from Beijing in 2008, as a spectacle the Games there succeeded. Reflecting on Rogge's life, IOC President Thomas Bach said: First and foremost, Jacques loved sport and being with athletes - and he transmitted this passion to everyone who knew him. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. The entire Olympic Movement will deeply mourn the loss of a great friend and a passionate fan of sport.. Jacques Rogge, IOC president for 12 years, dies at 79 ), "He was absolutely the right person at the right time," Norwegian former IOC member Gerhard Heiberg said. The decision damaged the prospects of Mr Kim, with the IOC reluctant to give two major prizes to Asia. He described himself as a sober leader. Flipboard Jacques Rogge, who led the IOC for 12 years, has died. His joy in sport was infectious. He brought stability to the organization.". His was a sporting family, and by the age of three he was accompanying his father, an engineer, on sailing trips into the North Sea. After his career as an athlete he became President of the Belgian Olympic Committee and European Olympic Committees, and also served as Special Envoy for Youth, Refugees and Sport to the United Nations after his tenure as IOC President. He explained that he merely meant that Bolts come-and-get-me-if-you-can gestures during races seemed to him disrespectful of other runners. He will be remembered particularly for championing youth sport and for inaugurating the Youth Olympic Games. ", "Since we were elected as IOC members together, we shared a wonderful bond of friendship, and this continued until his last days. He made his mark in that role by insisting the athletes should not be used as political pawns and argued successfully that they should be allowed to attend the Moscow Games which many nations were boycotting after the USSRs invasion of Afghanistan. He The IOCs financial security strengthened under Rogges tenure. Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals, Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru; editing by Clare Fallon, Elton John enthralls Glastonbury in final UK show, Musk will train if Las Vegas martial arts cage match takes hold, Officine Generale loosens classic styles at Paris Fashion Week, Dior's Kim Jones sends models rising up from the floor at Paris Fashion Week, Klimt portrait 'Lady with a Fan' headed to auction with $80 million price tag. He will be remembered particularly for championing youth sport and for inaugurating the Youth Olympic Games. Jacques Rogge, IOC president for 12 years, dies at 79 Rogge's health declined in the final years of his presidency. As an athlete, he was a 16-time Belgian national champion in rugby and a yachting world champion. But the election of Jacques Rogge as President Before taking over as president of the International Olympic Committee, Rogge, whose death was announced Sunday, was an orthopedic surgeon who saw And I believe I will leave an IOC in good shape to my successor.. While the former Spanish diplomat worked behind the scenes and twisted arms to get what he wanted, Rogge pursued a more democratic, collegial and management-oriented approach. Belgian surgeon chosen to head International Olympic Committee After serving an initial eight-year term, Rogge was reelected unopposed in 2009 to a second and final four-year mandate. He also established the Youth Olympics in 2010. Rogge's health had visibly declined when he attended Olympic events since his presidency ended in 2013. The South Korean's chances were also damaged after it was alleged that he had offered financial incentives to voting members. After hearing of his death, current IOC president Thomas Bach said in a statement that, "first and foremost, Jacques loved sport and being with athletes and he transmitted this passion to everyone who knew him. After acknowledging his victory, Mr Rogge vowed to protect the credibility of the Olympic movement against "doping, corruption and violence". Thats what you legitimately want to be remembered for.. DeFrantz was eliminated in the first round of balloting. "He was an accomplished president, helping to modernise and transform the IOC. Rogge enjoyed a Mr. Rogge said the darkest moment of his presidency was the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, who was killed in a high-speed training crash hours before the 2010 opening ceremony in Vancouver. He stepped down in September 2013 in Buenos Aires, where Germany's Thomas Bach was elected as his successor. Despite concerns about delays to building, the Athens Olympics of 2004 proved an unexpected triumph (at least before the revelation of the effects of their cost on the Greek economy). In more recent years, Rogge had retired to his home in Deinze in East Flanders. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Former IOC president Jacques Rogge dies at 79 - ESPN Rogge enjoyed a "Mr. Clean" reputation and moved quickly to break with the IOC's tainted and elitist image. All rights reserved. Read our community guidelines in full, With Princess Anne and Sebastian Coe at a press conference in Singapore in 2005 after Britain had successfully bid to host the 2012 Olympics, With Boris Johnson, then Mayor of London, and his Beijing counterpart, Guo Jinlong, at the closing ceremony of the 2008 Olympics, Rogge, left, applauds the Queen as she arrives at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, with Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, right, Alan Arkin, actor noted for Catch-22 who won an Oscar as the heroin-snorting grandpa in Little Miss Sunshine obituary, Pierre Gruneberg, swimming instructor to the stars on the French Riviera obituary, Harold Elletson, Lancashire squire, Slavophile businessman, sometime MP and alleged spy obituary, Evan Jones, writer of the films Funeral in Berlin and Escape to Victory who also worked with Bob Dylan obituary, John Ward, businessman determined to reveal the truth about his daughter Julies brutal murder obituary, The Earl of Airlie, dashing courtier who led Schroders through the Big Bang and reviewed the royal finances obituary. A three-time Olympian in sailing, Rogge earned praise for bringing a steady hand to the often turbulent world of Olympic politics but also faced outside criticism for not being tough enough on human rights issues with China and Russia. He also competed in the Finn class of sailing at three Summer Olympic Games: in 1968, 1972, and 1976. As his term as IOC President came to a close, he was asked by the BBC what would be his legacy. Belgian Rogge is new IOC president | Sport | The Guardian We had to get out of that. Instead, he became head of the countrys Olympic delegation. While his greatest success with the Olympic Games was probably the 2012 edition in London, Rogge was also lauded for steering the Games through difficult times such as the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, held in February 2002, just five months after the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States, and the human rights outcry that surrounded the contentious Beijing Olympics in 2008. Rogge was appointed president of the European Olympic Committees in 1989 and elected a member of the IOCs board in 1991, coming to the fore as chairman of the co-ordination commission for the Sydney Olympics in 2000. 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Rogges background was in medicine and although his public mien could be dour, he was more of a team-player and one whose word was his bond. We had a lot of turmoil. Rogge is survived by his wife Anne, his son, daughter and two grandchildren. While the former Spanish diplomat worked behind the scenes and twisted arms to get what he wanted, Rogge pursued a more democratic, collegial and management-oriented approach. "We had a lot of turmoil. Rogge warned frequently about the threat of match-fixing and illegal betting, setting up a dedicated unit to monitor betting patterns during the Olympics. He became an IOC member in 1991 and won praise for his role as chairman of the coordination commission for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Softball and baseball were removed from the program after 2008, while golf and rugby were included for 2016. FEI Mourns Passing of former IOC President Jacques Rogge A Belgian who spoke five languages, including English, he would listen before making decisions and not shy from tough ones. He told the IOC ethics commission he never proposed any specific sum and had only recommended providing delegates with enough funds to maintain offices in their own countries. By the age of 3, he was accompanying his parents on sailing trips along Belgium's North Sea coast. ), He was absolutely the right person at the right time, Norwegian IOC member Gerhard Heiberg said. The International Olympic Committee announced his death without giving details. The IOC's reserves rose from $100 million to $900 million over 10 years. These are the future stars, and we want to give them the possibility to compete at the highest level, while at the same time to benefit from the educational programme, the fight against doping, injury prevention things that are very useful for developing athletes to know, said Rogge. Under Rogge's watch, the IOC took the Olympics to new countries and continents -- awarding the first Summer Games to South America (Rio de Janeiro 2016) and the first Winter Games to Russia (Sochi 2014) and South Korea (Pyeongchang 2018). I always say doping is to sport what criminality is to society. (He continued the practice at subsequent Games, though he also would stay in the official hotel when he had important meetings. 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Rogge came under fire from Jewish groups for refusing to allow a moment of silence at the London opening ceremony to remember the 11 Israeli team members killed by Palestinian gunmen at the 1972 Munich Games. Still, there were about 11,000 athletes and 33 sports at the Tokyo Olympics that closed this month. He did take part in special commemorations for the Israelis outside of the ceremonies. Aug 29 (Reuters) - Former International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge has died at the age of 79, the IOC said on Sunday. Revenues from global sponsors grew from $663 million in 2001-04 to nearly $1 billion for the four-year cycle through London. As well as being an avid reader, Rogge was interested in modern art and when on IOC trips would try to make time to visit museums and galleries. Beijing was surrounded by controversy over Chinas record on Tibet, human rights and press freedom. The event, for athletes aged 15 to 18, was designed to involve educational and cultural experiences as well as sports competition. Rogge presided over Summer Olympics in Athens (2004), Beijing (2008) and London (2012), and Winter Games in Salt Lake City (2002), Turin (2006) and Vancouver (2010). "I received an IOC in good shape from Samaranch," Rogge said in an interview before handing over to Bach. He formed a decided contrast with his predecessor, Juan Antonio Samaranch, a somewhat self-serving Spanish diplomat who presided over a bloating of the organisation and a culture of deals made in back rooms. IOC announces passing of former IOC President International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, at a 2013 ceremony, reveals the 2020 Summer Olympics host city. The International Olympic Committee Honorary President, Count Dr Jacques Rogge, has passed away aged 79. Rogge, a former orthopedic surgeon from Belgium, guided the IOC through a period of relative calm and prosperity during a term that spanned three Summer Jacques Rogge, former IOC president, dies at 79 | CNN Jacques Rogge obituary: President of the IOC, 2001 A former Olympic sportsman himself, he fought corruption in the IOC, scaled down spending and restored global faith in the Games. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. In a major breakthrough, Rogge signed a long-term revenue-sharing deal with the USOC in 2012. Rogge served as the IOC's eighth president from 2001 to 2013 and went on to become the organisation's honorary president. He did take part in special commemorations for the Israelis outside of the ceremonies. The Summer Youth Games debuted in Singapore in 2010, with the second edition held in Nanjing, China, in August 2014. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. The former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Belgian Jacques Rogge, died this Sunday at the age of 79, as announced by the IOC His joy in sport was infectious. Rogge was the eighth President of the International Olympic Committee, leading the organisation from 2001-2013. He became the first head of the organisation to stay in the athletes village during the events, rather than in a luxury hotel, and 10 IOC members eventually resigned or were expelled for corruption regarding the selection of the Games venue. Mr Rogge won in a landslide in the second round of a secret ballot. First and foremost, Jacques loved sport and being with athletes and he transmitted this passion to everyone who knew him, Thomas Bach, Rogges successor as president, said in an IOC statement. President Bach added: Since we were elected as IOC members together we shared a wonderful bond of friendship, and this continued until his last days, when the entire Olympic Movement and I could still benefit from his contribution, in particular on the Board of the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage. Rogge led the Belgian Olympic team in the 1980s and eventually served as the President of the Belgian Olympic Committee from 1989. Wrestling was surprisingly dropped for 2020 in 2012 but was given a second chance and won back its place a year later. Under Rogges watch, the IOC took the Olympics to new countries and continents awarding the first Summer Games to South America (Rio de Janeiro in 2016) and the first Winter Games to Russia (Sochi 2014) and South Korea (Pyeongchang 2018). He competed again in 1972 and 1976 but felt by 1980 that his competitive edge was less keen. 16.07.2001: Candidate to head Olympic committee accused of offering members $6m 'bribe', 16.07.2001: Charming Rogge in pole position to take presidency, Profile of Jacques Rogge - 112th IOC session. Jacques Rogge, IOC president for 12 years, dies at 79 - Los The FEI joins the entire sporting world in mourning the passing of Count Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee from 2001-2013. The objective was to bring together the worlds best young athletes and introduce them to Olympism. That is for others to judge. The Belgian, who was 79, was made IOC Honorary President when he stepped down after serving a full 12-year term. He underwent hip replacement surgery in September 2012 and looked a far cry from the youthful, robust man who came to power. ", Related articles 16.07.2001: Candidate to head Olympic committee accused of offering members $6m 'bribe' 16.07.2001: Charming Rogge in pole position to take presidency, Useful sites International Olympic CommitteeProfile of Jacques Rogge - 112th IOC session, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. After being succeeded by the German Thomas Bach as IOC president in 2013, Rogge was appointed Special Envoy for Youth Refugees and Sport by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, to help promote sport as an empowerment tool for youth from displaced and refugee communities. He was also a fierce proponent of clean sport, and fought tirelessly against the evils of doping.". I hope that people, with time, will consider that I did a good job for the IOC, the understated Rogge said in an interview with the Associated Press before stepping down in 2013. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. The IOC announced his passing without giving details. The Belgian team went to Moscow and competed under the Olympic flag. Rogge took office in the wake of the Salt Lake City corruption scandal, in which 10 IOC members resigned or were expelled for receiving scholarships, payments and lavish gifts during the Utah capitals winning bid for the 2002 Winter Games. Jacques Rogge, orthopaedic surgeon who was a great success He went on to become President of the Belgian and European Olympic Committees before being elected IOC president, and served as a Special Envoy for Youth, Refugees and Sport to the United Nations after his IOC presidency. Rogge began his career in sports administration at the age of 34 when he was asked to serve as an athlete's representative on Belgium's national Olympic committee. FEI mourns passing of former IOC President Jacques Rogge Rogge was the eighth President of the Beijing was surrounded by controversy over China's record on Tibet, human rights and press freedom. He is also well acquainted with the problems of illegal drug use in sport, via his role as vice chairman of the IOC's anti-doping panel. Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter. Rogge began his career in sports administration at the age of 34 when he was asked to serve as an athletes representative on Belgiums national Olympic committee. After serving an initial eight-year term, Rogge was reelected unopposed in 2009 to a second and final four-year mandate. He fought tirelessly against doping throughout his career and led the IOC towards financial sustainability by refocusing it on its core business. "From surgery I have got a much-needed sense of humility, of the uncertainty of life, of the frailty of every ambition," Rogge said in an interview with The Independent. I received an IOC in good shape from Samaranch, Rogge said in an interview before handing over to Bach. "And I believe I will leave an IOC in good shape to my successor.". He was created a count of Belgium by King Albert II in 2002 and after the end of his time in office was appointed an honorary KCMG in 2014. Rogge was an Olympic sailor and orthopedic surgeon from Belgium. He went on to compete in sailings Finn class in three Olympics Mexico City 1968, Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976. Rogge was made a count by Belgiums King Albert II in 2002 and received an honorary British knighthood in London in 2014. Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. Clean reputation and moved quickly to break with the IOCs tainted and elitist image. Can Bajrang, Vinesh and Sakshi still make it to 2024 Paris Olympics? "I hope that people, with time, will consider that I did a good job for the IOC," the understated Rogge said in an interview with The Associated Press before stepping down in 2013. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. Rogge oversaw Salt Lake City 2002, Athens 2004, Turin 2006, Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010, and London 2012 as President. Jacques Rogge, the Belgian former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), died on Sunday at the age of 79 after a long illness. Rogge said the darkest moment of his presidency was the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, who was killed in a high-speed training crash hours before the 2010 opening ceremony in Vancouver. Rogges views were not always well received: He was criticized as out of touch when he chided Usain Bolt for showboating in Beijing and questioned whether the Jamaican sprinter was a living legend in London. There have since been summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in 2018, and winter Youth Games in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2012, Lillehammer, Norway, in 2016 and Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2020. In 2001, he became IOC President, replacing Juan Antonio Samaranch. The presidential election comes three days after another landmark IOC vote: the awarding of the 2008 Olympic games to Beijing. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. Rogge warned frequently about the threat of match-fixing and illegal betting, setting up a dedicated unit to monitor betting patterns during the Olympics. "That's what you legitimately want to be remembered for.". Rogge came under fire from Jewish groups for refusing to allow a moment of silence at the London opening ceremony to remember the 11 Israeli team members killed by Palestinian gunmen at the 1972 Munich Games. Human rights groups accused Rogge and the IOC of failing to speak out against abuses in China and Russia. In a major breakthrough, Rogge signed a long-term revenue-sharing deal with the USOC in 2012. Mr Rogge's victory has reinforced the European-dominated nature of the IOC. The IOC said the Olympic flag will be flown at half-staff for five days at its headquarters and museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. Tensions had festered for years over a previous deal that many Olympic officials felt gave the U.S. too big a slice of TV and sponsorship revenues. Jacques Jean Marie Rogge was born at Ghent on May 2 1942. The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and ever-expanding tax and compliance needs. After an education at a Jesuit school, he studied medicine at the University of Ghent, specialising in knee surgery. Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile. ", Former IOC president Jacques Rogge dies at 79, Biles returning for 1st meet since Tokyo Games, Dressel down to final shot at U.S. worlds team, Aregawi runs 5th-fastest men's 5k at Lausanne, Tour de France ready to adjust amid Spain riots, Kalisz joins 6-timers worlds club at U.S. nationals, Nets' Simmons to sit out Basketball World Cup, French Olympic Committee president elected, Laws inspired by Nassar abuse signed in Michigan, Ledecky earns 6th trip to worlds, joining elite club, Neeraj Chopra clinches Lausanne Diamond League victory. "He will be remembered particularly for championing youth sport and for inaugurating the Youth Olympic Games.