It is with great sadness that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announces the passing of former IOC President Count Jacques Rogge. He was 79 years old. 

Rogge was the eighth President of the IOC, from 2001 to 2013, after which he became Honorary President.

In 2011, Jacques Rogge, as the IOC President, welcomed the PCU Committee as an initiative of Panathlon International as expressed in this letter: “We are very happy that you continue to imbue in young people common human values in general and Olympic values in particular. I believe that your new project opens new and greater opportunities for university students to learn the values that will prepare them for roles in leadership in future.”

Remembering his life, IOC President Thomas Bach recalled: “He was an accomplished President, helping to modernise and transform the IOC. He will be remembered particularly for championing youth sport and for inaugurating the Youth Olympic Games. He was also a fierce proponent of clean sport, and fought tirelessly against the evils of doping. 

As a mark of respect, the Olympic flag will be flown at half-mast for five days at Olympic House, at The Olympic Museum and at all IOC properties, and the IOC invites all National Olympic Committees and International Federations to join in this gesture of remembrance and honour.