Singapore, September 12, 2021: International Olympic Committee Vice President Ng Ser Miang of Singapore has revealed that he took to the ocean waves to pay a special tribute to his great friend and fellow sailor, the former IOC President Jacques Rogge, who passed away on August 29 at the age of 79.
Mr Ng, who is Chair of the OCA Advisory Committee and a member of the OCA Executive Board, recorded his heartfelt tribute through his Facebook page.
“I went to the sea to say a prayer and bid farewell to Dr Jacques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee 2001 to 2013, a fellow sailor and a dear friend,” said Mr Ng.
“Jacques transformed and modernised the IOC. He championed youth sports, gender equality and fought for clean sport. He presided over successful Olympic Games, Salt Lake City 2002, Athens 2004, Torino 2006, Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012.”
Mr Ng added that the former IOC President, who represented Belgium in sailing at three Olympic Games, enjoyed a special relationship with Singapore, attending the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) General Assembly in 2001, the 117th IOC Session in 2005, the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010 and the IOC International Athletes Forum in 2013.
“I had the privilege of serving under his leadership on the IOC Executive Board as EB member and as IOC Vice President and worked closely with him on co-creating the inaugural YOG. Rest in peace our leader and our great friend.”
