World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont has paid tribute to former IOC President Count Jacques Rogge, who has passed away.
Rogge was the eighth President of the IOC, serving from 2001-13, and was also a former Belgian national rugby player and an Olympian and world champion in sailing.
Rogge was also President of the IOC when rugby sevens was voted on to the Olympic Games programme in 2009, spectacularly debuting at Rio 2016.
Beaumont said: “Jacques loved sport and was an exceptional President, playing a leading role in the modernisation of the IOC and championing youth sport, introducing the Youth Olympic Games, at which rugby sevens made its debut in Nanjing in 2014.
“Jacques was also a great friend and supporter of rugby. An accomplished club and international player, his love for the game was always apparent and the entire rugby family joins the global sporting community in mourning his loss.
“On behalf of the rugby family, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Jacques’ family.”
Rogge was married to Anne, and leaves a son, a daughter and two grandchildren.
