Kuwait City, Kuwait, May 11, 2025: International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has disclosed that Asia played a defining role in his presidency, and that the continent will always have a “special place in my heart.”
Bach, who was awarded the Olympic Council of Asia Order of Merit at the opening ceremony of the 45th OCA General Assembly in Kuwait on Sunday, May 11, applauded the flagship Asian Games for being a “model of success” and a benchmark for all other continental bodies.
Addressing the 45 Asian National Olympic Committees for the last time as IOC President, an emotional Bach thanked Asia for throwing its weighty support behind him and for the beautiful moments and memories shared together.
Kirsty Coventry, the first woman to be elected to the top IOC position, will succeed the ninth IOC President Bach on June 23, 2025.
“Asia always has and always will have a special place in my heart. I will always be grateful for your support, for the many beautiful moments and memories that we shared together,” Bach noted.
“All this makes it emotional for me to address you today for the last time as IOC President. Today, I do not say ‘farewell’. Today, I say ‘see you soon’,” Bach said.
Bach, who became IOC President in 2013, revealed that the “defining chapter of my Presidency” were the three consecutive Olympic Games in Asia – the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
“Each one took place under uniquely challenging circumstances, and each one rising to the occasion to become a historic success for the host countries and for the entire Olympic Movement,” Bach noted.
Bach reminded delegates of the defining moments of these three Olympic Games - the unforgettable joint march of athletes from North Korea and South Korea at the Opening Ceremony of PyeongChang 2018; the holding of an Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020, in the midst of COVID 19; and how amid acute geopolitical tensions and a pandemic which still had the world in its grip, the Beijing 2022 Winter Games was staged.
“With an Asian Olympic host, we turned great adversity into a historic success for the entire Olympic Movement. We appreciate the Asian can-do spirit,” Bach said.
Bach went on to underline Asia as a continent of ancient civilisations and modern innovation, of deep-rooted traditions and boundless energy, and said he was honoured to be part of the OCA General Assembly.
“Asia’s influence within the Olympic Movement today has grown stronger,” he acknowledged. “Thank you, dear Asian Olympic friends, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
