IOC president Thomas Bach pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II: We have lost a great supporter of sport
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ByEurosport
Published 09/09/2022 at 11:03 GMT
Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), told an IOC Executive Board meeting on Friday that “we have lost a great supporter of sport and the Olympic Movement” after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday aged 96. The Queen, who ruled for longer than any monarch in British history, passed away on Thursday, September 8.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach speaks
Image credit: Getty Images
President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach has paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at an IOC executive board meeting.
Queen Elizabeth II died, aged 96, on Thursday, and a minute’s silence was held at the meeting on Friday.
Bach told the meeting that sport had lost a great supporter after her death.
“With the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we have lost a great supporter of sport and the Olympic Movement,” Bach told an IOC Executive Board meeting on Friday.
“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."
The Queen was memorably part of the London 2012 Opening Ceremony, appearing alongside Daniel Craig, who was playing James Bond, in a video.
She was also at the Olympic Stadium for the ceremony.
"Whenever one could see her attending a sports event, you could feel her appreciation of sport and how much joy it brought her," added Bach.
“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.”
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