IOC President Thomas Bach visited Johannesburg, engaging with key sports officials and athletes in discussions about upcoming Olympic events and athlete welfare. His meetings included discussions on the success of South African athletes and the future of sports in Africa, demonstrating the IOC’s commitment to expanding Olympic values on the continent.
IOC President Thomas Bach recently concluded a significant visit to Johannesburg, marking the second phase of his African tour. He was warmly received by Barry Hendricks, the President of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), alongside IOC Honorary Member Sam Ramsamy and IOC Member Anant Singh. They, along with Mustapha Berraf, the President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), accompanied President Bach throughout his engagements. During his visit to the SASCOC headquarters, President Bach participated in the “Indaba,” a gathering of South African athletes. This meeting served as a platform to deliberate on the outcomes and experiences from the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris 2024. An hour-long question and answer session followed, where President Bach addressed various issues, including athlete safeguarding, gender balance, and the potential for future Olympic events to be hosted in Africa. He also engaged with the SASCOC Board members and presidents and secretaries general of national federations, where he commended them on their achievements in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and expressed his satisfaction with SASCOC’s current advancements, describing it as being in “calm waters” while fostering dynamic progress and a strong connection with athletes. In the evening, President Bach was honored as a guest at a dinner attended by SASCOC Board members and South Africa’s Minister for Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie. The Minister emphasized the unifying essence of sports for the nation and acclaimed the Olympic Games Paris 2024 for its role in bringing the global community together. He also affirmed South Africa’s commitment to ensuring the success of the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026. The following morning involved discussions between President Bach and Minister McKenzie concerning the impressive performance of the South African contingent at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, noting the National Olympic Committee’s recent positive developments. Conversations with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa via phone focused on the geopolitical landscape and its impact on global sports. Notably, during his tour in South Africa, President Bach also met Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Chair of the IOC’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights. His itinerary included a visit to Soweto, with a stop at Nelson Mandela’s residence and an earlier visit to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which preserves the archives of the renowned former President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
This visit by IOC President Thomas Bach highlights the International Olympic Committee’s ongoing engagement with African nations in preparation for upcoming significant global sporting events, specifically the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the Dakar Youth Olympic Games in 2026. The discussions emphasize the importance of safeguarding athletes, promoting gender equality, and fostering unity through sports. The presence of key officials from SASCOC and governmental representatives showcases a collaborative effort to enhance the country’s sports landscape and ensure successful preparations for future Olympic events.
In conclusion, President Thomas Bach’s visit to South Africa not only reinforced the IOC’s commitment to the development of sports on the continent but also facilitated essential dialogue on athlete welfare, gender equality, and the prospects of hosting future Olympic Games in Africa. The collaboration demonstrated during this visit signifies a hopeful future for sports in South Africa and across the continent, aimed at nurturing talent and promoting the Olympic spirit.
Original Source: olympics.com
