Bach, who will step down as IOC president in 2025, said Paris 2024 had been “sensational, or dare I say, ‘Seine-sational'” – a play on words referencing the river which flows through the host city.
He added that they were “Olympic Games of a new era” as the first “delivered completely under our Olympic agenda reforms: younger, more urban, more inclusive, more sustainable and the first Olympic Games with full gender parity”.
The German praised athletes for their “simply amazing” performances, saying they showed “what greatness we humans are capable of”.
He continued: “During all this time, you lived peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic Village. You embraced each other. You respected each other, even if your countries are divided by war and conflict. You created a culture of peace.
“This inspired all of us and billions of people around the globe. Thank you for making us dream. Thank you for making us believe in a better world for everyone.
“We know that the Olympic Games cannot create peace. But the Olympic Games can create a culture of peace that inspires the world. This is why I call on everyone who shares this Olympic spirit: let us live this culture of peace every single day.”
There was also special praise for the 45,000 volunteers who assisted during the Games, which began with a rain-soaked opening ceremony along the Seine on 26 July.
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