Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2001, announced this week that he will seek relection to the post. The 66-year-old Belgian is expected to be unopposed for this position when the IOC votes in October of 2009. Rogge, the eighth president of the IOC, has presided over four Olympic Games, the 2002 and 2006 Winter Games and the 2004 and 2008 Summer Games. He is eligible for a second term of four years.
(photo © Newscom)

The first Gold Medal of the Beijing Olympic Games went to the Czech Republic’s Katerina Emmons in the 10m air rifile event. She finished with a score of 503.5, a new Olympic record. Silver went to Lyubov Galkina of Russia and the Bronze was awarded to Snjezanan Pejcic of Croatia. IOC President, Jacques Rogge was on head to present these first medals of the Games.
Du Li of China, the defending Gold Medalist finished fifth.
Emmons met her future husband, fellow Olympic shooter Matt Emmons, at the Athens Games. Perhaps the pair will both be bringing home Gold?
(photo © Newscom)

23 March 2008 – The lighting of the Olympic Flame in Olympia tomorrow is a time to reflect on the role of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The main responsibility of the IOC is to deliver the best possible Olympic Games to the athletes, who deserve it.
We do this in a close and intense collaboration with the Beijing Organising Committee.
Awarding the Olympic Games to the most populous country in the world will open up one fifth of mankind to Olympism.
We believe that China will change by opening the country to the scrutiny of the world through the 25’000 media who will …read more