The first honorary president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach sent a letter to the presidents of the Olympic committees, including Vessela Letcheva.
Thomas Bach officially handed over the keys of the Olympic headquarters in Lausanne to the new president Kirsty Coventry in the presence of IOC members.
The President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee Vessela Letcheva, for her part, sent congratulatory addresses to the new President Kirsty Coventry and to the Honorary President Thomas Bach.
“I am convinced that your qualities as a great athlete and the experience you have in management ensure that you will lead the International Olympic Committee with the necessary determination, but also with wisdom and fairness. You have an excellent legacy, which I am convinced you will continue in the name of Olympic ideas and in the implementation of the Oympic Charter.
I am impressed by the way in which, together with President Thomas Bach, you have handed over power – in a spirit of unity and close cooperation. You have set an example not only for all sports organisations around the world, but also for countries that are torn by disputes and scandals. Your actions show that sport is more than sport. Sport is a way of life,” wrote Letcheva to Kirsty Coventry.
“Your tenure has been full of meaning and during these 12 years you have not only managed to preserve the IOC but also to develop it as an even more modern and authoritative organisation. To preserve its prestige, independence and strength. These years have not been easy for the international Olympic movement. But with wisdom and determination you have managed to steer the IOC through a number of crises. Today, our organisation is in a better state than ever – uniting the world in a way that only the international Olympic movement can do,” Letcheva addressed Thomas Bach in her letter.
