IOC President pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the IOC Executive Board meeting this morning.
He told the members of the Executive Board:
“With the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we have lost a great supporter of sport and the Olympic Movement.
Her Majesty was the only head of state to declare open two editions of the Olympic Games and was already present at the Olympic Games London 1948.
As patron of the British Olympic Association, she provided invaluable advice and help to the Olympic community.”
He added: “Whenever one could see her attending a sports event, you could feel her appreciation of sport and how much joy it brought her. She was herself an accomplished equestrian.
This enjoyment of sport and her wonderful sense of humour were clearly represented in her appearance at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games London 2012, where her participation in the world-famous video sketch will be remembered fondly by everyone who saw it.
Our thoughts are with the Royal Family and in particular our IOC colleague, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, and all the members of the Olympic community in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth.”
The members of the Executive Board stood in a minute’s silence as a sign of respect for Her Majesty, and the Olympic flag and the Union flag are flying at half-mast at Olympic House.