Thomas Bach, the IOC President, visited Johannesburg as part of his African tour, engaging with local leaders and athletes to discuss the outcomes of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Meeting with SASCOC officials, he praised their recent successes and emphasized the importance of athlete safeguarding and gender balancing in sports. His visit included significant dialogues with South African ministerial leaders and interactions with the legacy of Nelson Mandela, reinforcing the IOC’s commitment to promoting Olympic values across Africa.
Recently, Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), made a visit to Johannesburg, marking the second phase of his African tour. He was graciously welcomed by key figures including Barry Hendricks, President of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), alongside IOC Honorary Member Sam Ramsamy and IOC Member Anant Singh. The visit was further supported by Mustapha Berraf, an IOC Member and the President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA). While at the SASCOC headquarters, President Bach participated in an “Indaba,” a significant meeting that brought together South African athletes to discuss the implications of the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris 2024. President Bach engaged in an enlightening hour-long question and answer session, addressing a variety of topics, including athlete protection, gender equality, and the potential for future Olympic Games to be hosted in Africa. Furthermore, he held a meeting with SASCOC’s Board members and representatives from national federations. In these interactions, he commended the South African delegates for their outstanding achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and expressed his satisfaction with SASCOC’s recent progress, highlighting its steady growth and its commitment to fostering strong ties with athletes while promoting Olympic values. In the evening, President Bach was honored as a guest at a dinner attended by SASCOC Board members and South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie. During his address, Minister McKenzie emphasized the unifying nature of sports within South Africa, lauding the Olympic Games Paris 2024 for its global unifying potential. He also expressed commitment towards ensuring the success of the forthcoming Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026. On the following morning, President Bach convened an important meeting with Minister McKenzie where they discussed the notable success of the South African team during the Olympic Games. Additionally, he communicated with President Cyril Ramaphosa, engaging in discussions concerning the geopolitical climate and its ramifications for international sports. Throughout his visit, President Bach also interacted with Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Chair of the IOC’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights. His itinerary included a visit to Soweto, where he toured the residence of esteemed former President Nelson Mandela, after previously visiting the Nelson Mandela Foundation to view the archives of this notable figure and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Thomas Bach’s visit to South Africa highlighted the significance of strengthening ties between the IOC and National Olympic Committees, aiming to promote Olympic ideals and encourage the development of sports within the continent. The discussions during his stay focused on ensuring athlete welfare, equity in sports, and the prospects for future Olympic events in Africa, marking a progressive step towards inclusivity in the global sporting landscape. The presence of key officials from SASCOC and the South African government further underscored the interest in Olympic sports and the commitment to hosting significant sporting events in the future, exemplified by aspirations for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.
In summarizing the key points of President Thomas Bach’s visit to South Africa, it is evident that the trip was not only a diplomatic engagement but also a strategic discussion aimed at promoting the Olympic movement across the continent. His positive reinforcement of SASCOC’s recent developments and the ongoing dialogue about Paris 2024 and Dakar 2026 signifies a hopeful future for athletics within Africa, fostering a spirit of unity and collaboration in the global sports arena.
Original Source: olympics.com
