Jacques Rogge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jacques Rogge
KCMG OLY
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Rogge in 2014
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| 8th President of the International Olympic Committee | |
| In office 16 July 2001 – 10 September 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Juan Antonio Samaranch |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Bach |
| Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee | |
| In office 10 September 2013 – 29 August 2021 |
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| President | Thomas Bach |
| Preceded by | Vacant, last held by Juan Antonio Samaranch (2010) |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Bach (2025) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jacques Jean Marie Rogge
2 May 1942 Ghent, Belgium |
| Died | 29 August 2021 (aged 79) Deinze, Belgium |
| Spouse | Anne Bovyn |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Ghent |
| Profession | Orthopedic surgeon Sports administrator |
Jacques Rogge (born May 2, 1942 – died August 29, 2021) was a Belgian sports leader, former athlete, and doctor. He was the eighth president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 2001 to 2013. After his presidency, Rogge became the IOC's honorary president for life. He held this special role until he passed away in August 2021 from Parkinson's disease.
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Early Life and Education
Jacques Rogge was born in Ghent, Belgium, on May 2, 1942. This was during World War II, when Nazi Germany occupied Belgium. His father, Charles Rogge, was an engineer. Jacques Rogge became an orthopedic surgeon, which is a doctor who specializes in bones and joints. He studied at the Jesuit private school Sint-Barbaracollege and the University of Ghent.
Sports Career and Leadership
Rogge was a very talented athlete in Belgium. He won the Belgian national championship in rugby 16 times. He was also a world champion in yachting, which is a type of sailing. He even competed in sailing at three Summer Olympic Games: in 1968, 1972, and 1976.
Rogge became a leader in sports organizations. He was the president of the Belgian Olympic Committee from 1989 to 1992. He also led the European Olympic Committees from 1989 to 2001. In 1991, he joined the IOC, which is the main group that organizes the Olympic Games. He became a member of its executive board in 1998.
In 1992, he received a special honor and was made a knight. Later, in 2002, King Albert II of Belgium gave him the title of count in the Belgian nobility. When Rogge finished his time as IOC President, he received a gold Olympic Order award.
Leading the IOC (2001–2013)
Jacques Rogge was chosen as the President of the IOC on July 16, 2001. This happened at the 112th IOC Session in Moscow. He took over from Juan Antonio Samaranch, who had been president since 1980.
At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Rogge did something new. He became the first IOC President to stay in the Olympic village with the athletes. This helped him connect more closely with them.
In October 2009, Rogge was chosen again to be the President of the IOC for another term.
In 2011, Forbes magazine listed Rogge as one of the most powerful people in the world.
On July 27, 2011, one year before the London 2012 Olympic Games, Rogge attended a special event in Trafalgar Square. There, he invited athletes from all over the world to compete in the upcoming Games. Important people like Princess Anne and Sebastian Coe showed off the medals. The Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson also gave speeches.
In December 2011, French President Nicolas Sarkozy gave Rogge another important award, making him an Officer of the Legion of Honour.
Rogge's time as IOC President ended on September 10, 2013, at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina. During this meeting, Tokyo was chosen to host the 2020 Summer Olympics (which were later held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Thomas Bach, a German lawyer and former Olympic fencer, was elected as the new IOC President. After stepping down, Rogge was made the Lifetime Honorary President of the IOC.
Challenges During His Presidency
Even though he was a respected leader, some of Rogge's decisions and comments led to discussions.
- Internet Access at the Beijing Olympics
Before the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, Rogge said that foreign journalists would have free internet access. However, it turned out that the internet would be limited for reporters. An IOC spokesperson later said that some high-ranking IOC officials might have made a private agreement with Chinese officials about this. Rogge later denied knowing about such a meeting.
- Comments on Usain Bolt's Celebration
Rogge once commented on how Usain Bolt celebrated after winning a race at the Beijing Olympics. He said that Bolt's actions were "not the way we perceive being a champion" and that he should "show more respect for his competitors." Some people disagreed with Rogge's comments. Rogge later explained that he only meant Bolt's actions during the race were a bit disrespectful, not his celebrations before or after.
- Remembering the Munich Tragedy
Rogge decided not to hold a minute of silence during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics to honor the 11 Israeli Olympians who were killed in the Munich massacre 40 years earlier. This decision came despite requests from the victims' families and political leaders. Rogge felt that the opening ceremony was not the right place for such a sad memory. Instead, the IOC held other ceremonies to remember the victims at different times and locations.
Later Life and Recognition
On February 25, 2014, Princess Anne gave Rogge a special award at Buckingham Palace in London. He was made an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) for his many years of service to the Olympics, especially for his work on the 2012 London Games.
On April 28, 2014, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Rogge as a Special Envoy for Youth Refugees and Sport. In this role, Rogge helped promote sports as a way to empower young people from refugee communities. This work aimed to encourage peace, health, education, and a more inclusive society.
In his free time, Rogge enjoyed modern art and loved reading books about history and science.
In 2016, a new sports center at the British School of Brussels in Belgium was named the "Jacques Rogge Sports Centre" in his honor.
In 2017, the International Paralympic Committee gave Rogge its highest award, the Paralympic Order. They honored him for helping them avoid financial problems. Rogge also received a lifetime achievement award from the International Fair Play Committee. This committee decided to name their youth award after him, calling it the Jacques Rogge Fair Play Trophy for The Youth.
Family Life
Jacques Rogge was married to Anne Bovyn. They had two children, Philippe and Caroline, and two grandchildren.
Death
Jacques Rogge passed away from Parkinson's disease at his home in Deinze, Belgium, on August 29, 2021. He was 79 years old.
Honors and Awards
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Jacques Rogge received many honors and titles from Belgium and other countries for his important work:
- 1992: He was made a Knight by King Baudouin.
- 2002: He was made a Count by King Albert II.
- 2011: He became an Officer of the Legion of Honour in France.
- 2013: He received the Gold Olympic Order.
- 2013: He was named Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee.
- 2014: He received the Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG) from the United Kingdom.
- 2017: He received the Paralympic Order.
He also received many honorary degrees from universities around the world, recognizing his contributions.
See also
In Spanish: Jacques Rogge para niños
