Last Olympic day in Sochi. Time for the final competitions, in cross-country skiing, bobsleigh and ice hockey. The time for Thomas Bach, the president of the IOC, to draw up a first assessment of the Winter Games. The exercise is never easy, but the German leader took part in it with humor and diplomacy. Once again, he surprised everyone by imposing a very personal approach to the presidential office.
Thomas Bach announced it at a press conference this Sunday, February 23 in Sochi, even though the question was not even asked: he will not make a direct judgment on the Olympic fortnight, in the evening, on the occasion of his speech during the closing ceremony. Unlike his predecessors, Juan Antonio Samaranch and Jacques Rogge, he will not seek to reduce the Olympics to a formula designed for the opening of television news. In 2000, Juan Antonio Samaranch called the Sydney Games “the best in history”. In 2012, Jacques Rogge summed up those of London by judging them “happy and glorious. »
Thomas Bach will not follow suit. “I will not use one or two adjectives,” he warned the media gathered at the Main Press Center. On the contrary, the IOC President intends to testify in his closing speech “to the message that I heard during the Games from athletes, national Olympic committees, international federations, partners and broadcasters. » In short, be the voice of general satisfaction.
In Sochi, Thomas Bach increased his discussions with the athletes. On four occasions, he left his room at the official IOC hotel to sleep in the athletes' village. Each time, he shared breakfast with foreign skiers, cross-country skiers or skaters. “I haven’t heard any complaints about these Games,” he explains. The IOC President says: “One morning, I was chatting with a group of athletes when they apologetically told me that they had to leave me to go to training. I asked them what time this training was. “In 30 minutes,” they said. Within half an hour, they were able to return to their room, grab their belongings, and then travel from the village to the training site. Such proximity is unique. »
Thomas Bach will not describe the Sochi Games as “the best in history” on Sunday evening when the curtain falls. “Unless I change my mind,” he suggested. But his words should bring a smile to the organizers, the public and the Russian president.
