Former International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge passed away over the weekend, at age 79. Rogge served as president from 2001-2013, overseeing three Summer and three Winter Games during his terms.

The highlights of his presidency were perhaps the critical successes of Vancouver 2010, and London 2012, as well as recognition for his support of the Paralympics and the establishment of the Youth Olympic Games. His tenure had a rocky start, though, as he looked to move the Olympics away from the Salt Lake City 2002 bribery scandal and modernize the IOC away from a perception of arrogance. His first Games - at Salt Lake - featured a significant figure skating judging scandal, solved diplomatically by Rogge and the IOC with a shared pairs gold medal. Rogge also was dogged by critics for a lack of urgency over human rights concerns when Beijing 2008 and Sochi 2014 won their host rights.

Rogge's legacy, though, is largely seen as one of stability and growth. Under Rogge, hosting rights went to South America (Rio 2016) for the first time, and his 'Mr. Clean' reputation helped transition the office away from his predecessor's authoritarian style. That president - Juan Antonio Samaranch - was the IOC's leader when I began an interest in the Games, with Los Angeles 1984, but Rogge's Olympics - particularly at Salt Lake, Athens 2004, Beijing, Vancouver, and London - are ones I watched in adult earnest.

Rogge was a three-time Olympian himself, as a one-person dinghy sailor at Mexico City 1968, Munich 1972, and Montreal 1976, before embarking on a sports medicine, and subsequently, sports organization career. His background as a physician was seen as evident at the IOC, as he looked to listen before diagnosing solutions, and work in an open style of teamwork.

Rogge was an Olympic Order recipient in 2013.

Current IOC president Thomas Bach reflects, "The entire Olympic Movement will deeply mourn the loss of a great friend and a passionate fan of sport".

The Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee offers its condolences for the Ghent-born Rogge, who served as BOIC for three years.

​The Association of National Olympic Committees' Gunilla Lindberg recognized his "enormous contribution to the world of sport." And the European Olympic Committees, for which he once served as president, remembered Rogge's work to deepen relationships with the EOC.

Andrew Parsons of the International Paralympic Committee thanks Rogge for strengthening ties between his group and the Olympics.

The International Olympic Academy issues a resolution in honor of its Honorary President, "a great friend of Greece and its Olympic history".

World Sailing acknowledges the passing of Rogge, a 2007 recipient of the Beppe Croce Trophy for his 'voluntary contribution' to the sport.

​World Rugby notes Rogge's history as a rugby player for Belgium. â€œAn accomplished club and international player, his love for the game was always apparent and the entire rugby family joins the global sporting community in mourning his loss."

​​Sebastian Coe leads the tribute from World Athletics. "He was passionate about sport and all he achieved in sport and beyond was done with common decency, compassion, and a level head."

​Around the Rings finds a unique, Leo Messi-angle, in its memory of Rogge's role in promoting Olympism.

​More...

The Games of the XXXII are officially open!

And, Games & Rings is ready to dive in. I'll be updating the blog throughout Tokyo 2020's two weeks, with a slimmed-down daily version of the usual posts - top headline roundups, social posts, and ones to watch - all with a focus still on athletes' stories.

​Important Links
​
Tokyo 2020 Official Site

​Official Competition Schedule
(note listings in JST time zone)

NBCUniversal's Television Schedule

NBCU's Day-by-Day TV Highlights

​See links for news sites and blog under the "Favorite Sites" listing, in the right-side column of this blog, for, well, news and blog commentary from other sites.

What events are you excited to see?

Original post was on 6/12/21; updates made to include additional kit announcements.

Let's have a moment of appreciation for the official Olympic outfits unveiled so far for Tokyo 2020. It's always fun to see the variety of Opening/Closing Ceremony, medal podium, Olympic Village, and competition wear that various national teams announce...and who designed them.

It's often a delicate balance between fashion and respectfully representing a heritage in a contingent's look. And results can be disastrous if not careful.

What's your favorite Tokyo 2020 look so far?

Check out the slideshow below and click any image for a news link. This post will be updated as new team looks are unveiled.

Recently, I had an out-of-the-blue flashback to my youth, which I'll obviously credit to excitement about the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics. And probably to some introspection about what I'm doing here on this blog. The object of my flashback? Zander Hollander's "The Complete Handbook of the Olympic Games".

Having it pop into my mind had me instantly remember treasuring it, fascinated by the detailed content previewing Los Angeles 1984. I can smell today the well-worn pages and am reminded of how it became a treasured go-to comfort (re)read even after the Games ended.

Although it wasn't as detailed in Games history as David Wallechinsky's "The Complete Book of the Olympics", it had its unique value. In addition to presenting an overview of each sport, Hollander - with co-editor / wife Phyllis - offered mentions of athletes to watch. Since publication was ahead of the Soviet-led boycott, plenty of Eastern Bloc athletes were included as leading podium contenders. For some reason, I most distinctly remember the Bulgarians Anelia Ralenkova, Lilia Ignatova, Diliana Guergieva and Soviet Galina Beloglazova as top prospects for rhythmic gymnastics' debut, with eventual gold medalist Lori Fung of Canada included as the lone western athlete of note. Similarly, and oddly, Hana Ricna - the Czechoslovakian artistic gymnast - has always stood out to me. For sure, referring back to The Complete Handbook throughout the Games, and after, underscored for me the impact the boycott had on competition that year.

The real charm, though, was inclusion of the 1980 medalists alongside blank spaces intended for the reader to fill in with the corresponding 1984 medalists. The Complete Handbook was interactive! Filling the book in along the way was a way to get this young reader attached. And, as a paperback novel-sized book, it was ideally convenient to be at my side.

Little did I know then, but gradually learned over years as a sports fan, that Hollander was an accomplished journalist/editor, with a staggering body of research across multiple professional sports. Sports writers and fans of a certain age should have deep appreciation for his ubiquitously prolific work over more than 20 years.

I'm not sure how I got the book. Perhaps my parents gifted it to me out of premonition of my imminent Olympic fandom. I think I had the Sarajevo 1984 edition, but Olympic fever kicked in for me that summer with L.A. And a love for detail and records, and Olympic athletes started while watching those Summer Games with The Complete Handbook in hand.

I'm also not sure when I didn't have the book anymore, surely lost to the supply of charity donations at some point. Note: I rue that decision as I look at my existing Olympic library. But I do know that I kept it for many years after 1984. I'm glad to have remembered it.

As long-time Sports Illustrated writer Jeff Pearlman put it to The New York Times regarding Hollander's general work, "I smell the book and it reminds me of...excitedly coming home, locking myself in my room, and reading that thing cover to cover." Same.