Mumbai, India, October 17, 2023: IOC Honorary Members Beatrice Allen (Gambia), Sir Craig Reedie (Great Britain) and Chang Ung (DPR Korea), as well as Andrzej Kraśnicki, the former President of Poland NOC, were today awarded Olympic Orders in a ceremony held during the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India.
All awardees were introduced by HSH Princess Nora of Liechtenstein, Delegate Member for Protocol.
IOC Honorary Member Chang Ung joined the ceremony by video link. In his absence, the Order was collected by his son, John Chang.
Addressing the assembled audience, IOC President Thomas Bach explained: “For decades, Ung Chang has been a driving force to promote the role of sport in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“He was always the bridge connecting the Olympic Movement with the Olympic community in the DPRK. Throughout his illustrious career in sport, whether at the National Olympic Committee, at the Olympic Council of Asia, as IOC Member and as an active member of many IOC Commissions, Ung Chang was above all a trusted advisor, who always built bridges of friendship and understanding through sport and its values. He continues to do so today even as IOC Honorary Member, ensuring that the DPRK athletes will always be a part our Olympic community.”
Addressing Mr Chang directly, President Bach said: “My dear friend, even before my election as IOC President, I could always turn to you for your advice and your wisdom. This trustful connection even deepened, and this proved to be invaluable in addressing the often complex challenges that we faced together.”
He continued: “Ahead of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, you again played an essential role when it came to the negotiations about the participation of the NOC of the DPRK in PyeongChang. Again, you were the bridge connecting the DPRK to the wider Olympic Movement in the discussions leading to the Lausanne Declaration – the agreement that made the participation of the athletes of the DPRK in PyeongChang possible. […] you made a great contribution which ultimately led to the unforgettable Opening Ceremony, when the athletes from the Republic of Korea and the DPRK marched together as one team behind one flag, the Korean Unification Flag, sending a powerful message of peace to the world. For this, we will always be grateful to you.”
The Olympic Order is the highest award of the IOC, given for distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement.