Seoul Peace Prize for IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach

Lausanne (IOC/FIL) On Monday, October 26, 2020, IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach received the Seoul Peace Prize. The President of the International Olympic Committee took part virtually from Lausanne (SUI) in the ceremony taking place in Seoul (KOR).
At the official presentation of the award, the Chairman of the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation, Yeom Jae-ho, said: "IOC President Thomas Bach is a man who carries the mission of the Olympic spirit to achieve peace through sport; a role model who truly lives what he teaches". He continued: "President Bach has fostered friendship and harmony around the world. He has made a significant contribution to the resolution of conflicts and divisions in many regions through the practice of sport. In doing so, he has proved himself a great Olympic champion committed to peace".
In his acceptance speech to the audience, President Bach said: "The purpose of the Olympic Games has always been to promote peace through sport. When Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee in 1894, he was supported in this mission by the presence of six future Nobel Peace Prize winners". 
President Bach stressed that while sport could open the door to dialogue on peace, "we know very well that sport alone cannot create peace". He added: "We cannot make decisions about war and peace. This is the domain of politics and not of sport".
To achieve this universal message of peace, the IOC promotes global solidarity and inclusiveness and accepts diversity as an enrichment to society.

Photo: IOC / GREG MARTIN
Video with the acceptance speech of Dr. Thomas Bach: https://youtu.be/Yzw5Hb4jqow