Thomas Bach, IOC President, visited Johannesburg as part of his African tour, engaging with SASCOC officials, South African athletes, and government leaders. Discussions focused on the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, athlete welfare, gender issues, and the potential for future Olympic events in Africa. Bach commended SASCOC’s progress and highlighted the importance of sports in uniting nations.
Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), recently undertook a significant visit to Johannesburg, marking the second leg of his tour across Africa. During his official stay in South Africa, he was warmly welcomed by prominent figures including Barry Hendricks, President of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), as well as IOC Honorary Member Sam Ramsamy and IOC Member Anant Singh. Accompanying President Bach was Mustapha Berraf, President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and fellow IOC member. At the SASCOC headquarters, President Bach attended the “Indaba,” a vital gathering of South African athletes, where he engaged in discussions focused on the outcomes and lessons from the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, scheduled for 2024. His visit featured an extensive hour-long question and answer session addressing critical themes such as athlete protection, gender balance in sports, and the potential for future Olympic events in Africa. He also held discussions with members of the SASCOC Board as well as presidents and secretaries general of various national federations. In these interactions, President Bach offered his congratulations on the notable achievements of South African athletes at the Olympic Games in Paris. Furthermore, he expressed his approval regarding the recent operational improvements within SASCOC, stating he was “very satisfied to see SASCOC in ‘calm waters’ while simultaneously making dynamic advancements,” emphasizing the importance of athlete connections and the promotion of Olympic values. In the evening, President Bach was honored as a guest at a dinner attended by members of the SASCOC Board and the South African Minister for Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie. In his address, Minister McKenzie highlighted the unifying power of sports in South Africa and commended the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris for their capacity to “unite the entire world.” He expressed enthusiasm for the Youth Olympic Games slated for Dakar in 2026, assuring that South Africa is prepared to invest efforts to ensure their success across the African continent. The following morning, President Bach held a meeting with the Minister to further discuss the achievements of the South African team during the Olympic Games in Paris and the favorable advancements of the National Olympic Committee in recent times. Additionally, he engaged in a conversation with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding the current geopolitical climate and its implications for sports globally. During his visit, President Bach also met with Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the Chair of the IOC’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights. They visited Soweto, including a significant trip to the residence of Nelson Mandela, which underscored the immense legacy of the former South African leader. Earlier, he visited the Nelson Mandela Foundation, home to archives pertaining to Mandela’s life and achievements.
The visit of IOC President Thomas Bach to South Africa represents a significant engagement with the African continent concerning the future of Olympic sports. This trip occurs in the lead-up to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where Bach aimed to emphasize the importance of athlete welfare, gender equality in sports, and the potential for greater representation of African nations in future Olympic events. Furthermore, his discussions with South African officials and athletes highlight a growing commitment to fostering and promoting the Olympic values and readiness for upcoming global sporting events, including the planned Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.
In summary, President Thomas Bach’s visit to South Africa serves a dual purpose of recognizing the successes of South African athletes and engaging with the country’s leadership on vital issues related to sports and athletics. His discussions reinforced the IOC’s commitment to promoting Olympic values and supporting the aspirations of African nations in the global sporting arena. Bach’s visit also spotlighted the shared vision between the IOC and South Africa to harness the unifying power of sports, exemplified by their collective efforts towards the success of the forthcoming Olympic and Youth Olympic Games.
Original Source: olympics.com
