President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach was awarded the highest Greek distinction, the Grand Cross of the Oder of the Phoenix. Bach deserved such honor for preserving the values and principles of the Olympic spirit and ideals. The solemn ceremony was held in Athens at the presidential mansion where Greek President Prokopios Pavlopoulos presented Thomas Bach with the order.
“I am particularly touched knowing this honour was also bestowed on my predecessor, the renovator of the Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin. Greece has offered to humanity two of the most precious gifts. It was here in Athens that democracy was born more than 2,500 years ago and the Olympic Games were created. I’m happy that these two Greek gifts to humanity continue to exist in our modern society,” Thomas Bach said.