(ATR) Pat Hickey has paid tribute to IOC president Jacques Rogge for creating the European Youth Olympic Festival.
Speaking at a ceremony in Utrecht, where the 2013 EYOF is now underway, the European Olympic Committees president told a gathering of athletes and officials from the 49 participating nations: "The reason you are here is because of this man.
"He was an athlete. He was one of you, an Olympian who competed in three Olympic Games. This is the last EYOF before the end of his mandate," Hickey said as he handed over a painting by Olga Volha Piashko.
He said the gift was "to symbolize the appreciation of the NOCs of Europe for your farsightedness in creating the EYOF and the impressive way you have led the Olympic Movement during your tenure".
Rogge, 71, launched the EYOF in 1991 when head of the EOC. He was elected IOC president exactly 12 years ago today, and steps down in September at the IOC Session in Buenos Aires.
Since the EYOF was inaugurated, a total of 33 summer and winter editions have been organized.
After receiving the painting, the Belgian also gave a speech in the ceremony at the biggest of the three Olympic Villages serving athletes taking part in the Utrecht EYOF.
"I feel very humbled by this present. But the nicest present you have given me is your presence here," he told the youngathletes aged 13 to 18 who were selected from each of the 49 competing countries.
"You are the future and I really hope you will enjoy this European Youth Olympic festival," he said at the Monday ceremony.
Speaking just hours after the revelations of doping positives for U.S. sprinter Tyson Gay and Jamaican Asafa Powell, Rogge urged the EYOF athletes to respect the Olympic values as they started their careers in sport. "No doping, no cheating, make us happy".
Rogge was joined at the ceremony by a dozen or so presidents and secretary generals of European NOCs, including Spyros Capralos of Greece, Victor Sanchez of Spain and Hasan Arat of Turkey. Members of the EOC EYOF Commission led by Guido de Bondt and local organizing committee leaders Rinda den Besten and Pieter van den Hoogenband, the triple Olympic swimming champion, were also present.
Before the ceremony, Rogge and his wife Anne together with NOC officials toured the three Olympic Villages in the Dutch city and visited the organizing committee offices and sports information department to get a feel for Utrecht’s EYOF set-up. Around the Rings was invited on the tour.
During the EYOF, 2,300 European athletes will compete for medals in nine Olympic sports. The first medals were awarded in track and field on Monday. Cycling events began today.
On Sunday, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands declared the XII summer EYOF open at the opening ceremony in the Galgenwaard Stadium in Utrecht.
The ceremony featured the lighting of the Olympic Flame by Max Geesink, grandson of Dutch judo legend Anton Geesink.
Reported by Mark Bisson
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