The Peninsula
Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and QOC Secretary General Jassim Rashid Al Buenain yesterday attended the virtual memorial of Count Jacques Rogge to pay their respects to the former IOC President
The memorial was attended by people from around the world whose lives were touched by Rogge during his long and decorated career. Rogge served as the eighth IOC President from 2001 to 2013, during which time the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was elected an IOC Member.
Before becoming President, Rogge was a world champion athlete in sailing and competed at three Olympic Games in 1968, 1972 and 1976. He also served as President of the Belgian and European Olympic Committees (EOC). Speaking following the memorial, Sheikh Joaan said: “Today we pay our respects to a decorated athlete, a highly influential sports leader and a great man. Jacques Rogge was hugely respected around the world and over his long career, he touched the lives of so many of us. He made such a significant contribution to the development of the Olympic Movement and while he will be greatly missed, his legacy will live on for many years to come.”