Durban - South Africa has awarded International Olympic Committee head, Jacques Rogge, with one of its highest national decorations, the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.
This gesture took place at the official opening of the IOC 123rd session held at the Playhouse in central Durban on Tuesday evening.
President Jacob Zuma made the announcement earlier on in the programme when he addressed high profile guests mainly from Munich, South Korea and France.
Zuma said the decision to award Rogge with the Order was made to demonstrate immense gratitude to the IOC for their solidarity and commitment to human rights in South Africa.
"This historic session presents an opportunity for us to recognise the outstanding contribution of the IOC, and of Dr Rogge in particular, to the struggle against apartheid and racial oppression.
"The IOC General Assembly has not met in Africa since the last gathering in Cairo 86 years ago. That was a much different Africa, which was still battling the yoke of colonialism... The choice of venue is therefore timely and important, given also that Africa is a continent where the Olympic movement has unearthed exceptional individual talents over many years," said Zuma.
This IOC session has been deemed special because the host of the 2018 Winter Games will be selected.
The three countries will learn their fate later on Wednesday when the winning bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics will be announced.
"As a country that has gone through numerous bids, we fully understand the pressure and the anxiety. We wish the three cities well with their final presentations," said Zuma.
Zuma thanked the IOC for supporting South Africa in hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
"We are proud to reflect on the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup as a successful event that brought lasting social and economic benefits to our country and continent ... Sport is a powerful instrument of promoting peace, friendship, unity and tolerance within nation states and the peoples of the world," said Zuma.
The President welcomed Princess Charlene, a prolific Olympic swimmer who he said continues to be an ambassador to the world, and her husband Prince Albert.
"We wish them a long life and many years of happiness and success together," said Zuma.
Meanwhile, Rogge appealed to governments to help the sports world get rid of doping, cheating and illegal betting.
Rogge said: "Protecting the integrity of sport is a priority for the IOC and there is no room for complacency against performance-enhancing drugs, judging and refereeing scandals."
On the bidding process, Rogge said: "I cannot predict the outcome of the vote, but I can say with confidence that the city selected to host the 2018 Olympic Winter Games will have the capacity to deliver outstanding results."
