On March 20 (Beijing Time), during the 144th IOC session in Costa Navarino, Greece, Yu Zaiqing, an International Olympic Committee and Vice-President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, has been elected as an honorary member of the IOC. On March 21, IOC President Thomas Bach awarded the Olympic Order to Yu Zaiqing.
Below is the speech from IOC President Bach at the award ceremony:
Dear Friends,
The impact of Yu Zaiqing on the Olympic movement can be characterized by his unwavering commitment, strategic vision and deep dedication to building bridges between cultures through sport. For nearly a quarter of a century, he has served our Olympic movement with distinction, shaping the future of Olympic sports, and fostering ties of friendship between China and the worldwide Olympic community. Elected as an IOC member in the year 2000, he has been a steadfast presence in the Olympic movement. His long-standing service on the IOC Executive Board, including as vice president, has been marked by foresight, integrity, and a spirit of collaboration to shaping the future of sport.
When I was elected as IOC President in 2013, he succeeded me as vice president, a role in which his dedication and commitment to our Olympic movement continued to unfold.
Throughout his tenure, Mr. Yu has played a key role in numerous IOC commissions, always ensuring that the interests of Olympic sports in China were represented, while never losing sight of the broader good of the entire Olympic movement. His ability to navigate complex challenges with diplomacy and vision became especially evident during the unprecedented cycle of 3 consecutive Olympic Games in Asia -- PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020, and Beijing 2022.
Mr. Yu played a key role in fostering regional cooperation, notably by facilitating the trilateral coordination agreement between China, the Republic of Korea and Japan, an initiative that strengthened the Olympic collaboration in the region, and ensured the success of this historic Asian cycle of Olympic Games despite all the political tensions at the time between these three countries.
Dear Zaiqing, all your many qualities were shining brightly, for everyone to see, when it came to the truly exceptional Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. Your contributions to the success of these Olympic Games cannot be overstated, amid the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic that still had the world in its grip. You worked tirelessly to ensure that the Olympic Winter Games could take place safely. Despite the necessary strict countermeasures, you were instrumental in ensuring that flexibility was maintained whenever possible, always advocating for making the best experience for all participants possible.
Leading by the example, you, together with your Chinese partners and friends, willingly subjected yourself at the time to the same stringent protocol as all the foreign visitors, including for long periods away from your family. A great personal sacrifice, that speaks to your deep sense of responsibility and commitment to the Olympic cause. Your wise counsel and sound advice in liaising with Chinese leadership were essential in securing the Games’ success.
Beyond your contributions to the Olympic Games, you have left an enduring mark on the world of sports through your leadership of the IWUF. Under your presidency, you championed the global recognition of wushu, transforming the traditional Chinese martial art into a sport with truly worldwide appeal. The Nanjing 2014 Youth Wushu Tournament, held in conjunction with the Youth Olympic Games Nanjing 2014, marked a pivotal moment that also convinced us at the IOC that wushu was indeed ready for the global stage. This was the first step leading to the inclusion of wushu in the official program of the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.
This is just one of countess examples illustrating your passion for promoting sports and in doing so, building bridges of understanding between people and cultures, touching the lives of countless young athletes worldwide.
On a personal note, you have been more than a colleague, you have been a trusted advisor and you have always been a dear friend. Your generosity in sharing your profound understanding of Chinese culture has been a gift to me, opening doors to a world of tradition, artistry, philosophy and heritage. Through you, I have had the privileged of experiencing the cultural richness of China. Not only through sports, but also through its artists, philosophers, its history and its people. Your guidance during my countless visits to the country has deepened my understanding and appreciation for China's great cultural heritage. I feel honored and privileged to call you a dear friend. For this, your unwavering friendship, I am deeply grateful.
Mr. Yu Zaiqing, in recognition of your outstanding merit in the cause of world of sports, and your faithfulness to the Olympic ideals, as illustrated by Pierre de Coubertin, renovator of the Olympic Games, I award you the Olympic Order.
