IOC President Thomas Bach has suggested that a ceasefire could influence the decision to lift Russia's ban from international sports. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, only a handful of Russian athletes participated as neutrals. With ongoing discussions, will Russia make a full return to global competition?

IOC chief Thomas Bach hints at lifting Russia ban after ceasefire

Ahead of the historic return of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)&nbsp;Session to India next month after 40 years, James Macleod, Director of NOC Relations, Olympic Solidarity and Olympism365 at the IOC has said that India hosting the Session is an indicator of the trust that the IOC has in India.

Speaking at a round table discussion with journalists ahead of the upcoming IOC Session, Macleod said, “I think it is very big. It is a mark of the trust that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has in India. We know the potential that India holds and we are very excited about partnering with our colleagues in India to be able to host the IOC Session. As you know, an IOC Session does attract a lot of attention because a lot of important decisions happen in that forum amongst the IOC membership relating to the future of the Olympic Movement, the future of the Olympic Games but also other that haven’t been discussed earlier. For us, it is a great opportunity and we are very excited about it.”

<h2>Making the Olympic Games more accessible</h2>

Jacqueline Barrett, Future Olympic Games Hosts Director, spoke about the IOC’s new philosophy that will come into consideration while awarding hosting rights. One of the key aims of the IOC involves hosting Olympic Games that are sustainable for the future. She also touched upon the IOC’s new strategic framework for human rights, which was adopted in September 2022.&nbsp; Barrett said that the IOC aims to make the Olympic Games more accessible for all nations by reforming the approach to bidding for the Games. “The new approach means that we can share our expertise with the countries or regions that have aspirations of hosting the Olympic Games.&nbsp; “Brisbane 2032 was the first host elected under this new approach. We have managed to reduce the cost of bidding for future hosts by over 80 per cent,” Barrett said.

<h2>Hosting rights for Olympic Games 2036 much sought after</h2>

The Olympics continue to be a sought-after event with Barrett confirming that the number of nations interested in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games was in double digits and there was significant interest in holding the Youth Olympic Games as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/we-need-to-stop-yuvraj-singh-recalls-sachin-tendulkars-advice-after-sa-loss-during-cwc-11-640843">'We need to stop...': Yuvraj Singh recalls Sachin Tendulkar's advice after SA loss during CWC '11</a>

The 141st Session of the IOC will be held in Mumbai, India on 15, 16 and 17 October this year. The Session will be preceded by an IOC Executive Board meeting on 12 and 13 October. The decision to hold the 141st IOC Session in India was taken by the IOC Members during the 139th IOC Session held in Beijing in February 2022. Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, IOC member Nita M Ambani, then-IOA president Narinder Batra and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur presented India’s proposal for the hosting rights. India won the bid after 75 members voted in favour of Mumbai.

Bindra, the first Indian to win an individual gold at the Olympic Games, was also a part of the round table discussion and spoke about the significance of the upcoming Session as well. “It is the start of a process. The Olympic Movement is coming to India after a gap of 40 years. There is a lot of interest around the Olympic Movement. As an Indian athlete and somebody who has been involved in the Olympic Movement, I’d like to see the Games come to our country. The Mumbai Session is a very important event of the IOC and I’m very happy that the Session is happening in Mumbai,” Bindra said when asked if the Session was a possible stepping stone to India eventually hosting the Olympic Games.

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Ahead of the historic return of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session to India next month after 40 years, James Macleod, Director of NOC Relations, Olympic Solidarity and Olympism365 at the IOC has said that India hosting the Session is an indicator of the trust that the IOC has in India.

Ahead of the historic return of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session to India next month after 40 years, James Macleod, Director of NOC Relations, Olympic Solidarity and Olympism365 at the IOC has said that India hosting the Session is an indicator of the trust that the IOC has in India. Speaking at a round table discussion with journalists ahead of the upcoming IOC Session, Macleod said, “I think it is very big. It is a mark of the trust that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has in India. We know the potential that India holds and we are very excited about partnering with our colleagues in India to be able to host the IOC Session. As you know, an IOC Session does attract a lot of attention because a lot of important decisions happen in that forum amongst the IOC membership relating to the future of the Olympic Movement, the future of the Olympic Games but also other that haven’t been discussed earlier. For us, it is a great opportunity and we are very excited about it.” Making the Olympic Games more accessible Jacqueline Barrett, Future Olympic Games Hosts Director, spoke about the IOC’s new philosophy that will come into consideration while awarding hosting rights. One of the key aims of the IOC involves hosting Olympic Games that are sustainable for the future. She also touched upon the IOC’s new strategic framework for human rights, which was adopted in September 2022. Barrett said that the IOC aims to make the Olympic Games more accessible for all nations by reforming the approach to bidding for the Games. “The new approach means that we can share our expertise with the countries or regions that have aspirations of hosting the Olympic Games. “Brisbane 2032 was the first host elected under this new approach. We have managed to reduce the cost of bidding for future hosts by over 80 per cent,” Barrett said. Hosting rights for Olympic Games 2036 much sought after The Olympics continue to be a sought-after event with Barrett confirming that the number of nations interested in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games was in double digits and there was significant interest in holding the Youth Olympic Games as well. ALSO READ | 'We need to stop...': Yuvraj Singh recalls Sachin Tendulkar's advice after SA loss during CWC '11 The 141st Session of the IOC will be held in Mumbai, India on 15, 16 and 17 October this year. The Session will be preceded by an IOC Executive Board meeting on 12 and 13 October. The decision to hold the 141st IOC Session in India was taken by the IOC Members during the 139th IOC Session held in Beijing in February 2022. Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, IOC member Nita M Ambani, then-IOA president Narinder Batra and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur presented India’s proposal for the hosting rights. India won the bid after 75 members voted in favour of Mumbai. Bindra, the first Indian to win an individual gold at the Olympic Games, was also a part of the round table discussion and spoke about the significance of the upcoming Session as well. “It is the start of a process. The Olympic Movement is coming to India after a gap of 40 years. There is a lot of interest around the Olympic Movement. As an Indian athlete and somebody who has been involved in the Olympic Movement, I’d like to see the Games come to our country. The Mumbai Session is a very important event of the IOC and I’m very happy that the Session is happening in Mumbai,” Bindra said when asked if the Session was a possible stepping stone to India eventually hosting the Olympic Games. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

IOC session is a mark of the trust that the committee has in India - James Macleod

Jacques Rogge, who spent 12 years as president of the International Olympic Committee, has died at the age of 79, the organisation announced on Sunday.

"It is with great sadness that the International Olympic Committee announces the passing of former IOC President Count Jacques Rogge. He was 79 years old," said an IOC statement.

Rogge was the eighth president of the IOC, from 2001 to 2013, after which he was succeeded by Thomas Bach.

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"First and foremost, Jacques loved sport and being with athletes - and he transmitted this passion to everyone who knew him. His joy in sport was infectious," said Bach on Sunday.

"He was an accomplished President, helping to modernise and transform the IOC. He was also a fierce proponent of clean sport, and fought tirelessly against the evils of doping.&nbsp;

"Since we were elected as IOC members together we shared a wonderful bond of friendship, and this continued until his last days.

"The entire Olympic Movement will deeply mourn the loss of a great friend and a passionate fan of sport."

Rogge was an orthopaedic surgeon with a degree in sports medicine.

He also played rugby at international level, winning 16 caps for Belgium and became a world champion sailor.

It was on the water that he took part in three Olympics in 1968, 1972 and 1976.

After his career as an athlete he became president of the Belgian and European Olympic Committees, and was elected president of the IOC in 2001.&nbsp;

After his IOC presidency, he served as a Special Envoy for Youth, Refugees and Sport to the United Nations.

Rogge was married to Anne and he leaves behind a son, a daughter and two grandchildren.

Jacques Rogge, who spent 12 years as president of the International Olympic Committee, has died at the age of 79, the organisation announced on Sunday. "It is with great sadness that the International Olympic Committee announces the passing of former IOC President Count Jacques Rogge.

Jacques Rogge, who spent 12 years as president of the International Olympic Committee, has died at the age of 79, the organisation announced on Sunday. "It is with great sadness that the International Olympic Committee announces the passing of former IOC President Count Jacques Rogge. He was 79 years old," said an IOC statement. Rogge was the eighth president of the IOC, from 2001 to 2013, after which he was succeeded by Thomas Bach. It is with great sadness that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announces the passing of former IOC President Count Jacques Rogge. He was 79 years old. https://t.co/3bVyhbnBP3 — IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) August 29, 2021 × "First and foremost, Jacques loved sport and being with athletes - and he transmitted this passion to everyone who knew him. His joy in sport was infectious," said Bach on Sunday. "He was an accomplished President, helping to modernise and transform the IOC. He was also a fierce proponent of clean sport, and fought tirelessly against the evils of doping. "Since we were elected as IOC members together we shared a wonderful bond of friendship, and this continued until his last days. "The entire Olympic Movement will deeply mourn the loss of a great friend and a passionate fan of sport." Rogge was an orthopaedic surgeon with a degree in sports medicine. He also played rugby at international level, winning 16 caps for Belgium and became a world champion sailor. It was on the water that he took part in three Olympics in 1968, 1972 and 1976. After his career as an athlete he became president of the Belgian and European Olympic Committees, and was elected president of the IOC in 2001. After his IOC presidency, he served as a Special Envoy for Youth, Refugees and Sport to the United Nations. Rogge was married to Anne and he leaves behind a son, a daughter and two grandchildren.

Former IOC president Jacques Rogge dead at 79: Official

A little after the International Olympic Committee reported the first coronavirus case in the Olympic village, the Chief, Thomas Bach, has urged Japan locals to support the games.

"I appeal to the Japanese people to welcome these athletes here for the competition of their life," Bach said. In a bid to prove how secure the games are, he called the Tokyo Olympics to be the "most restrictive sports event... in the entire world."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tokyo-olympics-first-case-of-coronavirus-in-olympic-village-398641">WATCH |</a>

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His statement came after the Olympic village reported its first coronavirus case. "I would like once more to ask and to invite the Japanese people, humbly, to welcome and support the athletes from around the world," Bach urged Japanese people.

While the nation is worried about the first reported Covid case, Bach claims that it is just 15 people who have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus, out of 15,000. He used this data to support his argument that the IOC is following strict anti-coronavirus measures and are conducting daily tests for athletes.

To make the locals tad happy and hopeful, Bach also teased the idea of inviting fans back to the stadiums as spectators. "We will keep monitoring the anti-Covid developments. And if the circumstances should change, then we do have another immediate five parties meeting to address this with the relevant anti COVID-19 measures," he said.

A little after the International Olympic Committee reported the first coronavirus case in the Olympic village, the Chief, Thomas Bach, has urged Japan locals to support the games.

A little after the International Olympic Committee reported the first coronavirus case in the Olympic village, the Chief, Thomas Bach, has urged Japan locals to support the games. "I appeal to the Japanese people to welcome these athletes here for the competition of their life," Bach said. In a bid to prove how secure the games are, he called the Tokyo Olympics to be the "most restrictive sports event... in the entire world." WATCH | His statement came after the Olympic village reported its first coronavirus case. "I would like once more to ask and to invite the Japanese people, humbly, to welcome and support the athletes from around the world," Bach urged Japanese people. While the nation is worried about the first reported Covid case, Bach claims that it is just 15 people who have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus, out of 15,000. He used this data to support his argument that the IOC is following strict anti-coronavirus measures and are conducting daily tests for athletes. To make the locals tad happy and hopeful, Bach also teased the idea of inviting fans back to the stadiums as spectators. "We will keep monitoring the anti-Covid developments. And if the circumstances should change, then we do have another immediate five parties meeting to address this with the relevant anti COVID-19 measures," he said.

Tokyo Olympic 'most restrictive sports event': IOC chief urges Japanese locals' support

International Olympics Committee's president Thomas Bach held a press conference&nbsp;following an Executive Board meeting amid uncertainty surrounding whether the Tokyo Olympic Games will go ahead later this year.&nbsp;

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Bach started the conference by confirming that the Games will go ahead as planned. IOC chief said that the committee is is "concentrated and committed" in holding the Tokyo Olympics as per the schedule.&nbsp;

"We are fully concentrated and committed towards successful and safe Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Bach went on to talk about complexities of holding the Games, especially during the times of a pandemic, he said: "Organisation of Olympic and Paralympic Games extremely complex challenge. Complexity multiplied when it comes to the organisation of postponed Olympic Games under the conditions of a pandemic. We are learning every day."

He also said that no one can predict the health situation at the time of the games and the fight against the virus is tough. "Fight against the virus is a tough fight. Fighting it for and like Olympic athletes. Nobody, not even scientists, can predict the health-situation in 206 NOCs for the time of the Olympic and Paralympic Games from late July to the beginning of September this year," Bach said.&nbsp;

While talking about the vaccinations, Bach said that vaccines are not a 'silver bullet', however, the IOC is encouraging the everyone to accept vaccination. "Vaccination is not the silver bullet which solves all problems. It is part of the countermeasures for Tokyo 2020. We are encouraging everybody to accept vaccination. But athletes should not jump the queue," IOC chief said.&nbsp;

Bach talked about athlete quota during the games, he said: "61 per cent of the athlete quota places for Tokyo 2020 have already been allocated; 25 per cent will be assigned during the remaining qualification period; the final 14 per cent of athletes will be selected through rankings as per the respective qualification system for each sport." &nbsp;&nbsp;

IOC chief also rubbished the speculations regarding the cancellations or postponement of the Games and said such news hurt the athletes' preparations.&nbsp;

"There are many speculations around Tokyo 2020 which are hurting the athletes. There is speculation about cancellation, a Plan B, about everything. Some even make the proposal to postpone to the year 2032. Tell this to an athlete who is preparing now," Bach said.&nbsp;

International Olympics Committee's president Thomas Bach held a press conference following an Executive Board meeting amid uncertainty surrounding whether the Tokyo Olympic Games will go ahead later this year.

International Olympics Committee's president Thomas Bach held a press conference following an Executive Board meeting amid uncertainty surrounding whether the Tokyo Olympic Games will go ahead later this year. ALSO READ: Insurers face 'mind-blowingly' large loss if Olympics cancelled Bach started the conference by confirming that the Games will go ahead as planned. IOC chief said that the committee is is "concentrated and committed" in holding the Tokyo Olympics as per the schedule. "We are fully concentrated and committed towards successful and safe Olympic and Paralympic Games." Bach went on to talk about complexities of holding the Games, especially during the times of a pandemic, he said: "Organisation of Olympic and Paralympic Games extremely complex challenge. Complexity multiplied when it comes to the organisation of postponed Olympic Games under the conditions of a pandemic. We are learning every day." He also said that no one can predict the health situation at the time of the games and the fight against the virus is tough. "Fight against the virus is a tough fight. Fighting it for and like Olympic athletes. Nobody, not even scientists, can predict the health-situation in 206 NOCs for the time of the Olympic and Paralympic Games from late July to the beginning of September this year," Bach said. While talking about the vaccinations, Bach said that vaccines are not a 'silver bullet', however, the IOC is encouraging the everyone to accept vaccination. "Vaccination is not the silver bullet which solves all problems. It is part of the countermeasures for Tokyo 2020. We are encouraging everybody to accept vaccination. But athletes should not jump the queue," IOC chief said. Bach talked about athlete quota during the games, he said: "61 per cent of the athlete quota places for Tokyo 2020 have already been allocated; 25 per cent will be assigned during the remaining qualification period; the final 14 per cent of athletes will be selected through rankings as per the respective qualification system for each sport." IOC chief also rubbished the speculations regarding the cancellations or postponement of the Games and said such news hurt the athletes' preparations. "There are many speculations around Tokyo 2020 which are hurting the athletes. There is speculation about cancellation, a Plan B, about everything. Some even make the proposal to postpone to the year 2032. Tell this to an athlete who is preparing now," Bach said.

'Vaccination not a silver bullet': IOC chief Thomas Bach urges athletes to not jump queue

Sebastian Coe, the head of World Athletics, was voted in as a member of the International Olympic Committee on Friday after being turned down several times.

Coe, the two-time Olympic 1,500 metres champion for Britain who became head of athletics' world governing body in 2015, was blocked from membership as recently as December over a conflict of interest.

But Coe changed his role at the marketing company he is currently running as managing director to a passive position, thus paving the way to IOC membership.

Coe's belated entry into the IOC club is significant because he has been mentioned as a potential future president of the Olympic movement.

Voting at the IOC Session, held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic, saw 85 valid votes with six abstentions: 77 voted to approve Coe's membership, with eight voting against.

"Thank you to all of you who voted for our sport, our federation today," said Coe.

"I look forward, our whole sport looks forward, to working even more closely with all of you in performing and building upon all sports because at this time, of all times, the need for community in elite sport to thrive and flourish is probably never more important.

"Thank you very much for the position today."

As Coe signed his IOC oath, IOC president Thomas Bach let slip a greeting.

"Finally, welcome!" Bach said.

Also approved for individual IOC membership were Princess Reema Bandar al-Saud, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, former Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Cuban Olympic Committee (COC) board member Maria de la Caridad Colon Ruenes and acting Mongolian National Olympic Committee president Battushig Batbold.

Sebastian Coe, the head of World Athletics, was voted in as a member of the International Olympic Committee on Friday after being turned down several times. Coe, the two-time Olympic 1,500 metres champion for Britain who became head of athletics' world governing body in 2015, was blocked from membership as recently as December over a conflict of interest.

Sebastian Coe, the head of World Athletics, was voted in as a member of the International Olympic Committee on Friday after being turned down several times. Coe, the two-time Olympic 1,500 metres champion for Britain who became head of athletics' world governing body in 2015, was blocked from membership as recently as December over a conflict of interest. But Coe changed his role at the marketing company he is currently running as managing director to a passive position, thus paving the way to IOC membership. Coe's belated entry into the IOC club is significant because he has been mentioned as a potential future president of the Olympic movement. Voting at the IOC Session, held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic, saw 85 valid votes with six abstentions: 77 voted to approve Coe's membership, with eight voting against. "Thank you to all of you who voted for our sport, our federation today," said Coe. "I look forward, our whole sport looks forward, to working even more closely with all of you in performing and building upon all sports because at this time, of all times, the need for community in elite sport to thrive and flourish is probably never more important. "Thank you very much for the position today." As Coe signed his IOC oath, IOC president Thomas Bach let slip a greeting. "Finally, welcome!" Bach said. Also approved for individual IOC membership were Princess Reema Bandar al-Saud, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, former Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Cuban Olympic Committee (COC) board member Maria de la Caridad Colon Ruenes and acting Mongolian National Olympic Committee president Battushig Batbold.

World Athletics chief Coe approved as IOC member

Azeri weightlifter Valentin Hristov was stripped of his 2012 Olympics 56-kg bronze medal on Friday after he was one of three athletes to test positive for banned substances in re-tests conducted by the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC said Hristov's London Games sample tested positive for a prohibited anabolic steroid (oralturinabol) when it was re-analysed.

Anis Ananenka of Belarus, who finished 43rd in the men’s 800m, was also disqualified for the same substance, while fellow Belarussian Alena Matoshka, 25th in the women’s hammer throw, was the third athlete to be disqualified. Her sample tested positive with the steroid oxandrolone.

Previously 48 anti-doping violations were found in more than 500 reanalysis of London Games samples. Mostly were for anabolic steroids.

The IOC stores and regularly re-tests samples from past Olympic Games with methods that did not exist at the time. In an effort to protect clean athletes and the integrity of the competition, the IOC also looks out for substances that were not known at the time.

Samples since the 2004 Athens Olympics have been stored and reanalysed systematically.

More than 110 adverse findings have been found in Olympic Games since 2004 through re-testing of samples.

The reanalysis of 2012 samples, using the latest scientific methods, will continue before the statute of limitations is reached in 2020, the IOC said in November.

Azeri weightlifter Valentin Hristov was stripped of his 2012 Olympics 56-kg bronze medal on Friday after he was one of three athletes to test positive for banned substances in re-tests conducted by the International Olympic Committee.

Azeri weightlifter Valentin Hristov was stripped of his 2012 Olympics 56-kg bronze medal on Friday after he was one of three athletes to test positive for banned substances in re-tests conducted by the International Olympic Committee. The IOC said Hristov's London Games sample tested positive for a prohibited anabolic steroid (oralturinabol) when it was re-analysed. Anis Ananenka of Belarus, who finished 43rd in the men’s 800m, was also disqualified for the same substance, while fellow Belarussian Alena Matoshka, 25th in the women’s hammer throw, was the third athlete to be disqualified. Her sample tested positive with the steroid oxandrolone. Previously 48 anti-doping violations were found in more than 500 reanalysis of London Games samples. Mostly were for anabolic steroids. The IOC stores and regularly re-tests samples from past Olympic Games with methods that did not exist at the time. In an effort to protect clean athletes and the integrity of the competition, the IOC also looks out for substances that were not known at the time. Samples since the 2004 Athens Olympics have been stored and reanalysed systematically. More than 110 adverse findings have been found in Olympic Games since 2004 through re-testing of samples. The reanalysis of 2012 samples, using the latest scientific methods, will continue before the statute of limitations is reached in 2020, the IOC said in November.

IOC sanctions three athletes from London 2012 Games for doping

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un has met Olympics chief Thomas Bach in Pyongyang, thanking him for helping to bring about a "dramatic thawing" of tensions on the Korean peninsula, the country's state media said Saturday.

Last month's Winter Olympics in South Korea triggered a fast-moving rapprochement that will see Kim sit down with the South's President Moon Jae-in in late April - with a US summit with President Donald Trump planned for May.

Bach arrived in the country on Thursday and his visit, which concluded Saturday, was the result of an invitation extended by Pyongyang in January.

The isolated, nuclear-armed regime rarely hosts foreign dignitaries but recent weeks have seen a flurry of diplomacy, with Kim making his first foreign trip as leader to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and inviting him to visit Pyongyang.

Kim told Bach that the Olympics -- which saw competitors from the two Koreas march together at the opening ceremony and field a joint women's ice hockey team -- "opened a new chapter of concord between the north and the south", the official KCNA news agency said.

"He said that the once frozen north-south relations greeted a dramatic thawing season with the Olympics as a momentum and it was totally attributable to the efforts of the IOC which offered an opportunity and paved a path for it," KCNA reported.

The two men held discussions about the development of sport in the North and attended a women`s football match.&nbsp

North and South Korea plan to hold a summit on April 27.

Trump is then due to meet Kim before the end of May for talks on Pyongyang`s denuclearisation.

Bach has hailed the reconciliatory mood, saying previously that the Olympic spirit "brought two sides together" and the two neighbours sent a "powerful message of peace" to the world.

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Last month's Winter Olympics in South Korea triggered a fast-moving rapprochement that will see Kim sit down with the South's President Moon Jae-in in late April - with a US summit with President Donald Trump planned for May

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un has met Olympics chief Thomas Bach in Pyongyang, thanking him for helping to bring about a "dramatic thawing" of tensions on the Korean peninsula, the country's state media said Saturday. Last month's Winter Olympics in South Korea triggered a fast-moving rapprochement that will see Kim sit down with the South's President Moon Jae-in in late April - with a US summit with President Donald Trump planned for May. Bach arrived in the country on Thursday and his visit, which concluded Saturday, was the result of an invitation extended by Pyongyang in January. The isolated, nuclear-armed regime rarely hosts foreign dignitaries but recent weeks have seen a flurry of diplomacy, with Kim making his first foreign trip as leader to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and inviting him to visit Pyongyang. Kim told Bach that the Olympics -- which saw competitors from the two Koreas march together at the opening ceremony and field a joint women's ice hockey team -- "opened a new chapter of concord between the north and the south", the official KCNA news agency said. "He said that the once frozen north-south relations greeted a dramatic thawing season with the Olympics as a momentum and it was totally attributable to the efforts of the IOC which offered an opportunity and paved a path for it," KCNA reported. The two men held discussions about the development of sport in the North and attended a women`s football match. North and South Korea plan to hold a summit on April 27. Trump is then due to meet Kim before the end of May for talks on Pyongyang`s denuclearisation. Bach has hailed the reconciliatory mood, saying previously that the Olympic spirit "brought two sides together" and the two neighbours sent a "powerful message of peace" to the world.

North Korea's Kim meets IOC chief in Pyongyang

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