King Willem-Alexander Receives IOC Honours

On Saturday September 7th in Buenos Aires, King Willem-Alexander was appointed as an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

IOC President Jacques Rogge handed the King the gold Olympic Order during the 125th IOC Session. King Willem-Alexander was member of the IOC since 1998 and he resigned from his position as IOC member after his accession to the throne in April.

The King will be replaced by Camiel Eurlings, the former Dutch Minister of Transport and KLM CEO.

In his speech, King Willem-Alexander said: “This is a very emotional moment for me – to receive this award, on this very day, the birthday of my wife’s mother, in the very city where my wife was born.” The King added how his fifteen years as IOC member gave him “the opportunity to get involved and learn.” He also thanked his colleagues, friends and IOC’s staff. King Willem-Alexander will remain an honorary IOC member.

Filed under The Netherlands
Tagged International Olympic Committee, King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands.