Jacques Rogge
Encyclopedia
Jacques Rogge, Count Rogge (ˈrɔɣə; born 2 May 1942), is a Belgian sports bureaucrat. He is the eighth and current President of the International Olympic Committee
(IOC).
, Rogge is by profession an orthopaedic surgeon
and was educated at the University of Ghent. Rogge competed in yachting
in the 1968
, 1972
and 1976 Summer Olympics
, and played on the Belgian national rugby union team
. Rogge served as President of the Belgian Olympic Committee
from 1989 to 1992, and as President of the European Olympic Committees from 1989 to 2001. He became a member of the IOC
in 1991 and joined its Executive Board in 1998. He was knighted
in 1992, and in 2002 elevated to the noble rank
of Count
by King Albert II of the Belgians
.
In his free time, Count Rogge is known to admire modern art
and is an avid reader of historical and scientific literature. He is married to Anne; they have two grown-up children. His son Philippe is the current delegation leader of the Belgian Olympic Committee
.
as the successor
to the Marqués de Samaranch
, who had previously led the IOC since 1980.
Under his leadership, the IOC aims to create more possibilities for developing countries to bid for and be host of the Olympic Games
. Rogge believes that this vision can be achieved in the not-too-distant future through government backing and new IOC policies that constrain the size, complexity and cost of hosting the Olympic Games.
At the 2002 Winter Olympics
in Salt Lake City, Rogge became the first ever IOC President to stay in the Olympic village
, thereby enjoying closer contact with the athletes.
In October 2009 he was re-elected for a new term as President of the IOC. In 2013 he will not be eligible for a new term.
During the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics
, Rogge delivered a commemoration of Georgian luge
athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili
, after his fatal accident while practising at the Whistler Sliding Center on February 12, 2010.
In 2011, a Forbes Magazine list of the 68 most powerful people in the world listed Rogge at #67.
On 27 July 2011, one year prior to London 2012, Count Rogge attended a ceremony at Trafalgar Square
where, in accordance with tradition as President of the IOC, he invited athletes worldwide to compete in the forthcoming Olympic Games
. Former Olympian HRH The Princess Royal
unveiled medal
s up for grabs, after both Prime Minister
David Cameron
and the Mayor of London
had given speeches.
in Beijing, China
, Rogge pronounced in mid July 2008 that there would be no internet
censorship by Government
authorities: "for the first time, foreign media will be able to report free
ly and publish their work freely in China". However, by 30 July 2008, IOC spokesman Kevan Gosper
had to retract this optimistic statement, announcing that the internet
would indeed be censored for journalists. Gosper, who said he had not heard about this, suggested that high IOC officials (probably including the Dutch
Hein Verbruggen
and IOC Director of the Olympic Games, Gilbert Felli, and most likely with Rogge's knowledge) had made a secret deal with Chinese officials to allow the censorship, without the knowledge of either the press or most members of the IOC. Rogge later denied that any such meeting had taken place, but failed to insist that China adhere to its prior assurances that the internet would not be censored.
Rogge commented that Usain Bolt
's gestures of jubilation and excitement after winning the 100 meters in Beijing are "not the way we perceive being a champion," and also said "that he should show more respect for his competitors." In response to his comments, Yahoo! Sports
columnist, Dan Wetzel, who covered the Games described him as "...a classic stiff-collared bureaucrat
," and further contended that "[the IOC] has made billions off athletes such as Bolt for years, yet he has to find someone to pick on". In an interview with Irish Times' reporter Ian O'Riordan, Rogge clarified, "Maybe there was a little bit of a misunderstanding. [...] What he does before or after the race I have no problem with. I just thought that his gesticulation during the race was maybe a little disrespectful".
During the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, there have been controversies surrounding Women's Ski jumping
. Together with Boxing
, ski jumping is the last remaining sport which still bars women from competing at the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee
(IOC) has stated that the exclusion of women isn't discrimination; and, many other sports, including cricket
(even the Twenty20
-format) are precluded from competing. President Jacques Rogge has insisted that the decision "was made strictly on a technical basis, and absolutely not on gender grounds," but only following much criticism, including campaigning on the grounds of gender discrimination.
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
(IOC).
Life and career
Born in GhentGhent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
, Rogge is by profession an orthopaedic surgeon
Orthopedic surgery
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system...
and was educated at the University of Ghent. Rogge competed in yachting
Yachting
Yachting refers to recreational sailing or boating, the specific act of sailing or using other water vessels for sporting purposes.-Competitive sailing:...
in the 1968
1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
, 1972
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
and 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
, and played on the Belgian national rugby union team
Belgium national rugby union team
The Belgium national rugby union team represents the third tier rugby playing nation of Belgium. They first played in 1930 and have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup. Rugby union in Belgium is administered by the Belgian Rugby Federation...
. Rogge served as President of the Belgian Olympic Committee
Belgian Olympic Committee
The Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee , abbreviated to COIB or BOIC, is the National Olympic Committee for Belgium. It was founded in 1906 and the administrative seat is located in Brussels.-List of presidents:...
from 1989 to 1992, and as President of the European Olympic Committees from 1989 to 2001. He became a member of the IOC
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
in 1991 and joined its Executive Board in 1998. He was knighted
Ridder (title)
Ridder is a noble title in the Netherlands and Belgium. The collective term for its holders in a certain locality is the Ridderschap . In the Netherlands and Belgium no female equivalent exists...
in 1992, and in 2002 elevated to the noble rank
Peerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
of Count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
by King Albert II of the Belgians
Albert II of Belgium
Albert II is the current reigning King of the Belgians, a constitutional monarch. He is a member of the royal house "of Belgium"; formerly this house was named Saxe-Coburg-Gotha...
.
In his free time, Count Rogge is known to admire modern art
Modern art
Modern art includes artistic works produced during the period extending roughly from the 1860s to the 1970s, and denotes the style and philosophy of the art produced during that era. The term is usually associated with art in which the traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of...
and is an avid reader of historical and scientific literature. He is married to Anne; they have two grown-up children. His son Philippe is the current delegation leader of the Belgian Olympic Committee
Belgian Olympic Committee
The Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee , abbreviated to COIB or BOIC, is the National Olympic Committee for Belgium. It was founded in 1906 and the administrative seat is located in Brussels.-List of presidents:...
.
President of the IOC
Count Rogge was elected as President of the IOC on 16 July 2001 at the 112th IOC Session in MoscowMoscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
as the successor
Successor
A successor can refer to* Someone who, or something which succeeds or comes after * Successor , an American Thoroughbred racehorseIn history:* The Diadochi, or Successors to Alexander the GreatIn mathematics:...
to the Marqués de Samaranch
Juan Antonio Samaranch
Don Juan Antonio Samaranch y Torelló, 1st Marquis of Samaranch, Grandee of Spain , known in Catalan as Joan Antoni Samaranch i Torelló , was a Catalan Spanish sports administrator who served as the seventh President of the International Olympic Committee from 1980 to 2001...
, who had previously led the IOC since 1980.
Under his leadership, the IOC aims to create more possibilities for developing countries to bid for and be host of the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. Rogge believes that this vision can be achieved in the not-too-distant future through government backing and new IOC policies that constrain the size, complexity and cost of hosting the Olympic Games.
At the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
in Salt Lake City, Rogge became the first ever IOC President to stay in the Olympic village
Olympic Village
An Olympic Village is an accommodation centre built for an Olympic Games, usually within an Olympic Park or elsewhere in a host city. Olympic Villages are built to house all participating athletes, as well as officials, athletic trainers, and other staff. Since the Munich Massacre at the 1972...
, thereby enjoying closer contact with the athletes.
In October 2009 he was re-elected for a new term as President of the IOC. In 2013 he will not be eligible for a new term.
During the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony
The Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics was held on February 12, 2010 beginning at 6:00 pm PST at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This was the first Olympic opening ceremony to be held indoors...
, Rogge delivered a commemoration of Georgian luge
Luge
A Luge is a small one- or two-person sled on which one sleds supine and feet-first. Steering is done by flexing the sled's runners with the calf of each leg or exerting opposite shoulder pressure to the seat. Racing sleds weigh 21-25 kilograms for singles and 25-30 kilograms for doubles. Luge...
athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili
Nodar Kumaritashvili
Nodar David Kumaritashvili was a Georgian luger, who suffered a fatal crash during a training run for the 2010 Winter Olympics competition in Vancouver, Canada, on the day of the opening ceremony...
, after his fatal accident while practising at the Whistler Sliding Center on February 12, 2010.
In 2011, a Forbes Magazine list of the 68 most powerful people in the world listed Rogge at #67.
On 27 July 2011, one year prior to London 2012, Count Rogge attended a ceremony at Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a public space and tourist attraction in central London, England, United Kingdom. At its centre is Nelson's Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. There are a number of statues and sculptures in the square, with one plinth displaying changing pieces of...
where, in accordance with tradition as President of the IOC, he invited athletes worldwide to compete in the forthcoming Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. Former Olympian HRH The Princess Royal
Anne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
unveiled medal
Medal
A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...
s up for grabs, after both Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
and the Mayor of London
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London is an elected politician who, along with the London Assembly of 25 members, is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London. Conservative Boris Johnson has held the position since 4 May 2008...
had given speeches.
Controversies
For the 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing, China
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, Rogge pronounced in mid July 2008 that there would be no internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
censorship by Government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
authorities: "for the first time, foreign media will be able to report free
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
ly and publish their work freely in China". However, by 30 July 2008, IOC spokesman Kevan Gosper
Kevan Gosper
Kevan Gosper is a former Australian athlete who mainly competed in the 400 metres. He was formerly a Vice President of the International Olympic Committee.-1956 Summer Olympics:...
had to retract this optimistic statement, announcing that the internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
would indeed be censored for journalists. Gosper, who said he had not heard about this, suggested that high IOC officials (probably including the Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
Hein Verbruggen
Hein Verbruggen
Hein Verbruggen , is a Dutch honorary member of the International Olympic Committee since 2008. Previously, he was a member of the IOC and Chairman of the Coordination Commission for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing in 2008...
and IOC Director of the Olympic Games, Gilbert Felli, and most likely with Rogge's knowledge) had made a secret deal with Chinese officials to allow the censorship, without the knowledge of either the press or most members of the IOC. Rogge later denied that any such meeting had taken place, but failed to insist that China adhere to its prior assurances that the internet would not be censored.
Rogge commented that Usain Bolt
Usain Bolt
The Honourable Usain St. Leo Bolt, OJ, C.D. , is a Jamaican sprinter and a five-time World and three-time Olympic gold medalist. He is the world record and Olympic record holder in the 100 metres, the 200 metres and the 4×100 metres relay...
's gestures of jubilation and excitement after winning the 100 meters in Beijing are "not the way we perceive being a champion," and also said "that he should show more respect for his competitors." In response to his comments, Yahoo! Sports
Yahoo! Sports
Yahoo! Sports was launched on December 8, 1997. It receives a majority of its information from STATS, Inc., employs various writers, and has team pages for teams in almost every North American sport...
columnist, Dan Wetzel, who covered the Games described him as "...a classic stiff-collared bureaucrat
Bureaucrat
A bureaucrat is a member of a bureaucracy and can comprise the administration of any organization of any size, though the term usually connotes someone within an institution of a government or corporation...
," and further contended that "[the IOC] has made billions off athletes such as Bolt for years, yet he has to find someone to pick on". In an interview with Irish Times' reporter Ian O'Riordan, Rogge clarified, "Maybe there was a little bit of a misunderstanding. [...] What he does before or after the race I have no problem with. I just thought that his gesticulation during the race was maybe a little disrespectful".
During the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, there have been controversies surrounding Women's Ski jumping
Ski jumping
Ski jumping is a sport in which skiers go down a take-off ramp, jump and attempt to land as far as possible down the hill below. In addition to the length of the jump, judges give points for style. The skis used for ski jumping are wide and long...
. Together with Boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, ski jumping is the last remaining sport which still bars women from competing at the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
(IOC) has stated that the exclusion of women isn't discrimination; and, many other sports, including cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
(even the Twenty20
Twenty20
Twenty20 is a form of cricket, originally introduced in England for professional inter-county competition by the England and Wales Cricket Board , in 2003. A Twenty20 game involves two teams, each has a single innings, batting for a maximum of 20 overs. Twenty20 cricket is also known as T20 cricket...
-format) are precluded from competing. President Jacques Rogge has insisted that the decision "was made strictly on a technical basis, and absolutely not on gender grounds," but only following much criticism, including campaigning on the grounds of gender discrimination.