Costa Navarino (Greece), March 18 -- Outgoing International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach underscored the principles of unity and political neutrality as critical to safeguarding
the Olympic Movement's future.
The remarks came on the eve of the IOC 144th Session's opening ceremony at the ancient site of Olympia, after which members will elect a new IOC president on Thursday.
Invoking the words of Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Movement, Bach framed the historic gathering as both a symbolic and pragmatic milestone.
"Coubertin once said the Olympic Games are always a pilgrimage to the past and an act of faith in the future. This is what we are about to do," he stated.
"Tomorrow, we will begin our pi...