IOC Honorary President Bach praises Sanya!
On the afternoon of the 23rd, during the men’s beach volleyball competition at the 6th Asian Beach Games, IOC Honorary President Bach appeared in the stands. In an interview with reporters, he praised the organization of the Games and said that all athletes could “experience the unity of all of Asia” in Sanya.
On April 23, IOC Honorary President Bach (front right) watched the beach volleyball matches from the stands.
“They have come to a beautiful island, which provides an excellent backdrop for this event,” Bach said. “Here, they can give their all, enjoy the sport, experience Hainan’s warm hospitality, and, at this very special moment for Asia and the world, experience the unity of all of Asia.”
That day, Bach—who is now enjoying “retirement”—appeared relaxed as he watched the second half of the match between China and Sri Lanka. He noted that he had also watched some competitions in other events that morning.
“You can really feel that (enthusiastic) atmosphere everywhere now,” Bach said. “Most importantly, you can feel the atmosphere among the athletes; they are all very happy and excited because of the excellent hospitality and outstanding organization here.”
Bach also attended the opening ceremony on the evening of the 22nd, noting that the performances left a deep impression on him.
“We witnessed a spectacular opening ceremony last night, which showcased the traditional culture of Hainan and China while incorporating cutting-edge technology. It was truly an outstanding showcase for Hainan and China.”
Bach believes that hosting the Asian Beach Games plays a positive role in promoting the broader Olympic Movement and the development of youth sports.
“This is an excellent opportunity. We have seen the Asian Beach Games achieve continuous success, especially for the younger generation. It also allows more National Olympic Committees to gain better exposure to international competitions, thereby participating in Olympic events—or at least joining the broader Olympic family.”
“I believe the Asian Beach Games have achieved tremendous success here, and we can now say that with confidence,” Bach said.
When discussing youth sports, Bach specifically mentioned China’s “integration of sports and education” . He noted that he has observed Hainan implementing the principle of “making sports an integral part of education and a key driving force for education.” “I witnessed this firsthand yesterday during a visit to a middle school, where the ‘integration of sports and education’ was very evident.”
“At the same time, (Hainan) has recognized the significant contribution of sports and the sports industry to GDP. Therefore, I believe Hainan intends to attract more international sporting events,” Bach said.