Under Rogge’s IOC Presidency, WFDF was recognized in 2013
The World Flying Disc Federation (“WFDF”) with great sadness has taken note of the passing of Count Jacques Rogge, IOC Honorary President and eighth President of the IOC at age 79. Under Rogge’s Presidency, the World Flying Disc Federation was provisionally recognized in 2013 at the IOC Executive Board meeting in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.
In a letter to IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach, WFDF President Robert “Nob” Rauch and Secretary General Volker Bernardi wrote:
“We join you at the International Olympic Committee, his wife Anne, his family and friends in mourning a great leader of sport and the entire Olympic Movement. We will not only remember him as the President under whom WFDF achieved IOC recognition, but also as a great athlete and role model for sport leaders. His achievements in the fight against doping and for clean sport and the youth affinity which led to the creation of the Youth Olympic Games will always be remembered.”
Rogge, a former orthopedic surgeon from Belgium, competed in three Olympics in sailing — Mexico City 1968, Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976, and also played for ten years on Belgium’s national rugby team. He headed the Belgian Olympic Committee from 1989-1992 and was president of the European Olympic Committee from 1989-2001, becoming an IOC member in 1991. Rogge guided the IOC during a term that spanned three Summer Olympics and three Winter Games from 2001-2013, before being succeeded by Thomas Bach of Germany.
The World Flying Disc Federation and the Flying Disc community will always remember Jacque Rogge’s legacy.
Pictured are (WFDF archives 2013, from left): Volker Bernardi (WFDF Secretary General), Jacques Rogge (IOC President), Robert “Nob” Rauch (WFDF President), Fumio Morooka (WFDF at-large Board member) at The World Games in Cali, Colombia, in 2013.