Death of EOC President Janez Kocijančič

The IOC is deeply saddened to learn of the death of European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Janez Kocijančič, at the age of 78.

A lifelong sports fan who enjoyed tennis, golf and skiing, Mr Kocijančič is remembered for his belief in the power of sport and the unity of the Olympic Movement.

IOC President Thomas Bach paid tribute by saying: "Janez Kocijančič was a great ambassador and promoter of the Olympic Movement and the Olympic values."

He went on to say: "He was a true believer in the Olympic values for education, for peace and for social inclusion. For me, like many in the Olympic Movement, he was a true friend, and I deeply admired the dignified way he faced his illness. We will always remember and honour him, and the Olympic flag will fly at half-mast for this great man of our Olympic Movement."

The IOC Executive Board awarded Mr Kocijančič the Olympic Order in its meeting on 14 May 2020.

His numerous contributions to the Olympic Movement include serving as President of the National Olympic Committee of Slovenia (1991-2014) and as a member of the International Ski Federation (FIS) Council since 1981. In 2010, he was elected to the position of FIS Vice-President.

He joined the EOC as an Executive Committee member in 2005 and was elected as the eighth EOC President in November 2017. During his presidency, Mr Kocijančič oversaw the successful hosting in 2019 of the second edition of the European Games in Minsk (Belarus), and the European Youth Olympic Festivals (EYOFs) in Baku (Azerbaijan) and Sarajevo & East Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

The IOC expresses its deepest sympathies to Mr Kocijančič's family.