IOC President Thomas Bach receives Seoul Peace Prize

IOC President Thomas Bach has received the Seoul Peace Prize on Monday for his role in the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang,

The German joined the ceremony virtually from the IOC headquarters in Lausanne. Former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, collected the prestigious award on Bach's behalf in Seoul.

The Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation called Bach "a man who carries the mission of the Olympic spirit to achieve peace through sport". Foundation Chairman Yeom Jae-ho said President Bach has promoted friendship and harmony around the world. He has greatly contributed to resolving conflict and division in many regions through the practice of sport."

In his acceptance speech, the IOC leader said that the role of the Olympic Games, with regard to peace, is to "set an example for a world where everyone respects the same rules and one another. They can inspire us to solve problems in friendship and solidarity. They can build bridges leading to better understanding among people."

Congratulating Bach, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, Chung Sye-kyun said: "President Bach played a fundamental role in transforming the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 into the Peace Olympics, putting them beyond all political tensions as a symbol of hope."

You can watch President Bach's acceptance speech below.