IOC President Thomas Bach visited Johannesburg, South Africa, where he engaged with SASCOC and South African athletes in discussions about the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He commended the progress of SASCOC and held meetings with key sports officials and government leaders, including Minister Gayton McKenzie and President Cyril Ramaphosa. The visit also included a visit to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, recently embarked on a visit to Johannesburg, marking the second segment of his African tour. His visit was warmly welcomed by Barry Hendricks, President of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), alongside notable figures such as IOC Honorary Member Sam Ramsamy and IOC Member Anant Singh. The group was further accompanied by Mustapha Berraf, IOC Member and President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA). During his stay at the SASCOC headquarters, President Bach participated in the “Indaba” meeting, which brought together South African athletes. This session centered on the reflections and teachings drawn from the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris 2024. Engaging in a dynamic Q&A segment that lasted an hour, President Bach addressed various topics, including athlete safeguarding, gender parity, and the potential for future Olympic events to be hosted in Africa. He also convened with members of the SASCOC Board, along with presidents and secretaries general of national federations. In these discussions, he congratulated the attendees on their remarkable achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and expressed his contentment with the recent advancements at SASCOC. He stated that he was “very satisfied to see SASCOC in ‘calm waters’ and at the same time making very dynamic developments,” which underscored the organization’s robust engagement with athletes and promotion of Olympic values. On the evening of his visit, President Bach attended a dinner with SASCOC Board members and South Africa’s Minister for Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie. During his remarks, Minister McKenzie highlighted the unifying capacity of sports within South Africa and acknowledged the role of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in fostering global unity. He also lauded the upcoming Youth Olympic Games scheduled for Dakar in 2026, affirming South Africa’s commitment to ensuring their success for the African continent. The following morning, President Bach held a meeting with Minister McKenzie to discuss the impressive performance of the South African delegation at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, along with recent positive shifts within the National Olympic Committee. Additionally, in a conversation with President Cyril Ramaphosa, the two leaders reflected on the geopolitical landscape and its implications for the sporting world. President Bach’s visit also included a meeting with Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Chair of the IOC’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights. The visit concluded with a tour of Soweto, where President Bach had the opportunity to visit the home of former President Nelson Mandela and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which preserves the archives of the esteemed Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) plays a pivotal role in the oversight and promotion of the Olympic Games while advocating for the principles of the Olympic Charter. President Thomas Bach has made it a priority to engage with various nations, fostering relationships that bolster Olympic ideals and values, especially in regions where Olympic participation and achievements may be rising. South Africa, with its rich history and commitment to sports, serves as a significant focal point for discussions around unity, development, and the future of sports on the continent.
In conclusion, President Thomas Bach’s visit to South Africa signifies the IOC’s commitment to fostering strong ties with national committees and promoting Olympic values across Africa. His engagement with South African athletes and leaders highlights the importance of unity and collaboration in the realm of sports, particularly with regard to the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris and the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar. Such interactions not only celebrate past successes but also pave the way for future opportunities in the global sports arena.
Original Source: olympics.com
