International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach revealed the lighter side of his nature when he threw himself into local traditions by participating in a Maori welcome ceremony, but the president was also on hand to offer support and sympathy to victims of a devastating cyclone in the final leg of his three country journey.
Hockey was one of the sports high on the agenda during Thomas Bach's five day visit to Asia and Oceania. The President of the IOC, has been visiting sports facilities, including hockey pitches, and talking about developments in the sport during his flying visit. The former fencer – who represented Germany at the Montreal Olympics – travelled to India, New Zealand and Vanuatu on a five-day trip that encompassed meeting a number of dignitaries across a range of sporting bodies, including hockey.
On his first visit to India as President of the IOC, Bach met Doctor Narinder Batra, the President of Hockey India. Ahead of the President Bach's visit, Randhir Singh, the secretary general of Olympic Council of Asia said: "I think the IOC chief's visit will boost sports federations and bring them in the limelight, which is good for sports."
From India, Bach travelled to the South Pacific Ocean nation of Vanuatu, where he met the Vanuatu President Joe Natuman and sports leaders from a range of organisations. He also visited cyclone damaged sports facilities across the island nation. Cyclone Pam killed 16 people and caused widespread damage when it swept across Vanuatu in March. The IOC has pledged $500,000 to help repair damage to sporting facilities in Vanuatu, including some funding to support hockey projects taking place across the 80 islands that comprise the nation.
The final leg of Bach's trip led the ninth IOC President to New Zealand where he was welcomed with a traditional powhiri (welcome ceremony) before embarking on a two day visit, meeting with Olympic athletes, sports and decision-makers.
Accepting the wero (challenge) placed by local iwi (tribe) Ngati Whatua at Auckland’s Olympic House, President Bach also took part in singing Pokarekare ana in response to the waiata (song) sung in welcome by Ngati Whatua and members of the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
Former hockey star and IOC members Barry Maister was on-hand to greet the President on his first visit to New Zealand. President Bach, who won a gold medal at the Montreal Olympic Games was delighted with the traditional welcome which also included a kapa haka performance from the Auckland War Memorial Museum’s cultural group. During his visit to, Bach attended the official opening of the New Zealand Olympic Committee. He also met and discussed hockey matters with FIH Executive Board member Pam Elgar.
Speaking after the event, Bach said the visit to New Zealand had been well worth the lengthy trip. "The discussions and meetings we had confirms once more that the IOC and the sport in New Zealand and New Zealanders are sharing two things. We share the passion for sport and the commitment to the integrity of sport, and this you could feel in each and every meeting we've had here."
