On the Scene in London -- IOC President Delivers de Coubertin Lecture

IOC President Jacques Rogge speaks in London Nov. 24. (ATR/N.O’Shea)IOC President Jacques Rogge says London does not need to try to better Beijing as it stages the 2012 Olympics.

"There is no best or greatest, there is just different," said Rogge, delivering the Pierre de Coubertin lecture sponsored by the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce and London 2012.

"And asking me which Olympic Games is the best is like asking me which of my children do I love best."

The lecture Monday night in London was the second year it’s been held. The talk was held in conjunction with the transfer of knowledge meetings taking place this week between Beijing Olympic organizers and their counterparts from London.

Reflecting on Britain’s historical link to the Olympics, Rogge called Britain "the cradle and birthplace of modern sport," noting the influence the country’s sports movement of the late 19th century had on Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the IOC. De Coubertin also spoke to a meeting of the Royal Society of Arts, in June 1904, ten years after the founding of the IOC. One of de Coubertin’s relatives, London businessman Antone de Navacelle was in the audience for Monday’s lecture.

LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe acknowledges Beijing's attention to detail during a transfer of knowledge panel discussion. (ATR/N.O’Shea)Rogge recognized the contribution of the 1948 London Games to the Olympic Movement, explaining that they were the first to employ a large corps of volunteers to stage the event. Four British Olympians, now in their late 80’s, were invited to the lecture and received a warm ovation when they were recognized by the IOC president.

Looking ahead to London 2012 and the future of the Olympic Movement, Rogge stressed the efforts of the IOC to connect young people to the Olympics.

He applauded London on its choice of a logo that was designed to appeal to youth, as well as other efforts to reach out to youth.

"They have put a premium on connecting with young people, both in the U.K. and around the world," he said.

While Rogge has in the past assailed the tendency of young people to follow computer games and watch TV instead of playing sports, Rogge said the new technologies must help lead the way to renewing interest in physical activity.

1948 British Olympians are recognized at the lecture by the IOC president. (ATR/N. O’Shea)"On the Internet today people do not simply sit passively consuming content. They actively create, connect and share it. We can’t resist the changes technology brings. We can’t and we shouldn’t.

"What we should do is focus on the immense opportunity these new channels provide us with, to think more boldly and imaginatively," said the IOC chief.

Rogge also commented on the impact that the current financial turmoil could have on the London Olympics, suggesting that it was a storm London would weather.

"I am conscious that we come out of the enormous success of Beijing, into difficult economic times. Well, the Games have survived difficult times before. They have survived and thrived because of what they mean to people all over the world. The Games remind us that the transient difficulties of life can be overcome through hard work and determination."

He also noted that the Olympics of Los Angeles in 1932 were a success, staged in the midst of an economic depression.

Panelists include Jude Kelly, London 2012's chair of culture and education, IOC President Jacques Rogge, LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe, 2004 double Olympic gold medalist Kelly Holmes and Mark Byford, deputy director general of the BBC. (ATR/N. O’Shea)Rogge talked about the impact the Games have had in past host cities, but dropped a line in his prepared text that referred to the 1964 Games in Tokyo and the way those Olympics "helped complete the process of reintegrating Japan back into the international community." Fairness may have been the reason for dropping the reference. The audience in the hall included delegates from the four cities campaigning for the 2016 Olympics: Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro – and Tokyo.

Written by

Ed Hula

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