Death of Former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan

Kofi Annan was always very close to the Olympic Movement and received the Olympic Order in Gold in 2007 for his many years of service to sport and for championing the unifying power of sport. He received the Order from President Bach when he visited the IOC headquarters in 2015.

“Kofi Annan always supported the IOC and its mission throughout his time in office as United Nations Secretary General, and until very recently,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “He played a very important role to help the IOC achieve Permanent Observer Status at the United Nations and was always ready to give very valuable advice. The IOC and the entire Olympic Movement will always honour him as a true friend and great promoter of the Olympic values,” added the IOC President.

President Bach has asked for the Olympic Flag to be flown at halfmast at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne in his memory.