Pope Francis inspired IOC president Bach to create refugee team / Photo: Handout - VATICAN MEDIA/AFP/File
-
Winter storm blankets US northeast as travel bans imposed
-
Super-sub Sesko fires Man Utd to win at Everton
-
YouTube exec says goal was viewer value not addiction
-
Panama wrests control of canal ports from Hong Kong group
-
Trump denies top US officer warned of Iran strike risks
-
Mayweather to fight Pacquiao in Las Vegas in September
-
US stocks tumble on tariff fog, worries over AI
-
US says China 'massively expanded' nuclear arsenal
-
US forces to complete withdrawal from Syria within a month
-
US winter storm brings rare hush to snowy New York
-
George adamant Six Nations losses don't make England 'a bad team overnight'
-
US Supreme Court to hear bid to block climate change suits
-
Canada summons OpenAI over failure to report mass shooter
-
From Odesa to Bakhmut, revisiting a Ukrainian family torn by war
-
Vonn says Olympic injury could have led to amputation
-
UK police arrest ex-envoy Peter Mandelson in Epstein case
-
Trump either a 'traitor' or 'exceptional', Nobel-winner Walesa tells AFP
-
Son of director Rob Reiner pleads not guilty to parents' murder
-
Panama takes control of canal ports from CK Hutchison
-
Risk of 'escalation' if Iran attacked: deputy foreign minister
-
West Indies thrash Zimbabwe at T20 World Cup after piling up 254-6
-
US forces to complete withdrawal from Syria within a month: sources to AFP
-
Snowstorm blankets US northeast as New York sees travel ban
-
Healthcare crisis looms over Greenland's isolated villages
-
Hodgkinson says breaking 800m record would put her among athletics' greatest
-
Two Russian security personnel were on board France-seized tanker: sources
-
EU puts US trade deal on ice after Supreme Court ruling
-
Hetmyer blasts 85 as West Indies pile up 254-6 against Zimbabwe
-
Canada PM heads to Asia seeking new trade partners as US ties fray
-
South Africa accepts Trump's new US ambassador
-
Iraq's Maliki defends PM candidacy, seeks to reassure US
-
UEFA suspend Benfica's Prestianni after alleged racist abuse
-
Jetten sworn in as youngest-ever Dutch PM
-
Italy's Enel to invest 20bn euros in renewables by 2028
-
BBC apologises for 'involuntary' Tourette's racial slur during BAFTA awards
-
Kristen Bell returns to host glitzy Actor Awards in Hollywood
-
Iran says would respond 'ferociously' to any US attack
-
Venezuelan foreign minister demands 'immediate release' of Maduro
-
Dane Vingegaard to start season at Paris-Nice in March
-
Australia PM backs removing UK's Andrew from line of succession
-
Where do Ukraine and Russia stand after four years of war?
-
Police investigating racist abuse of Premier League quartet
-
Fiji to start Nations Championship at 'home' to Wales in Cardiff
-
EU lawmakers to put US trade deal on hold after Supreme Court ruling
-
Rubio to attend Caribbean summit as US presses Venezuela, Cuba
-
'Ugly' England aim to spin their way to T20 World Cup semi-finals
-
Nigeria paid Boko Haram ransom for kidnapped pupils: intel sources
-
Tudor says Tottenham can still beat the drop despite Arsenal loss
-
Violence sweeps Mexico after most-wanted drug cartel leader killed
-
France giant Meafou capable of being 'world's best' lock
Pope Francis inspired IOC president Bach to create refugee team
Pope Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, inspired International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach to create the Olympic refugee team, the German said in a tribute.
Bach, the most powerful person in sport, said the IOC had lost "a great friend and supporter".
However, it was his support for refugees which had left the greatest mark.
"His powerful voice in support of refugees is a shining example of his commitment, and it inspired me to create the first-ever refugee Olympic team for the Olympic Games Rio 2016," Bach said in a statement.
"He has graciously followed and supported this initiative throughout three Olympic Games editions, encouraging its growth and impact.
"This ongoing encouragement also led to the creation of the Olympic Refuge Foundation in 2017."
Bach, who steps down in June and will be succeeded by Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry, was grateful for Pope Francis' support throughout his 12-year papacy.
"His support for the peace and solidarity mission of the Olympic Games and the refugee initiatives of the IOC has been unwavering," said Bach.
"I got to know His Holiness as a very pensive intellectual who was humble and had a very good sense of humour."
"His deep passion for sport and the Olympic values was always obvious," added the 71-year-old.
A.Motta--PC