IOC president Thomas Bach pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II: We have lost a great supporter of sport

President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach has paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at an IOC executive board meeting. Queen Elizabeth II died, aged 96, on Thursday, and a minute’s silence was held at the meeting on Friday. Ad Bach told the meeting that sport had lost a great supporter after her death.

OlympicsQueen’s support for Olympic movement 'can never be underestimated' — Team GB16 HOURS AGO “With the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we have lost a great supporter of sport and the Olympic Movement,” Bach told an IOC Executive Board meeting on Friday. “Her Majesty was the only head of state to declare open two editions of the Olympic Games and was already present at the Olympic Games London 1948. “As patron of the British Olympic Association, she provided invaluable advice and help to the Olympic community." The Queen was memorably part of the London 2012 Opening Ceremony, appearing alongside Daniel Craig, who was playing James Bond, in a video.

She was also at the Olympic Stadium for the ceremony. «Whenever one could see her attending a sports event, you could feel her appreciation of sport and how much joy it brought her,» added Bach. “She was herself an accomplished equestrian.