Belgian Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 2001 to 2013, died at the age of 79, IOC announced on Sunday.

“It is with great sadness that the International Olympic Committee announces the passing of former IOC President Count Jacques Rogge. He was 79 years old,” said the IOC in its press release.

Rogge was the 8th President in the history of the IOC. The current president, the German Thomas Bach, succeeded him in 2013. Former Belgian international rugby player, Rogge participated three times in the Olympic Games, in 1968, 1972 and 1976, taking part in the sailing events in “Finn ” category in which he was world champion.

Before assuming the presidency of the IOC, he headed the Belgian Olympic Committee, as well as the European Olympic Committees, the body which brings together 50 European Olympic Committees.

The President of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games Amar Addadi and the General Secretary Iakovos Filippoussis express their sincere condolences for the death of Jacques Rogge to the family, relatives and to the IOC.