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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 45169, member: 636"] Thomas Bach stepped down Monday after running the International Olympic Committee for twelve years. Kirsty Coventry became the first woman and African person to lead the sports organization. The German lawyer won Olympic fencing gold back during 1976. He dealt with many tough problems during his time as leader. Sports experts say he handled difficult situations well. Russia caused Bach major headaches throughout his presidency. Vladimir Putin called to congratulate Bach when he first got elected during 2013. Russian athletes used illegal drugs at the 2014 Winter Games. Putin also broke Olympic peace rules twice when his country invaded other nations. Bach let Russian athletes compete at the 2024 Paris Games under neutral flags after careful screening. Japan wanted to cancel the Tokyo Olympics because of Covid. Bach refused to give up and forced the games to happen during 2021. Most athletes performed without any crowds watching because organizers banned spectators. Former Olympic officials say Bach showed strong willpower when everyone doubted him. Athletes around the world benefited from his determination to keep the games running. Bach leaves the Olympic Committee with much more money than before. He increased revenues by sixty percent during his leadership. Long-term sponsor contracts gave the organization financial security during tough times. Sports industry veterans praise Bach for building a stronger foundation. Three experts rank him among the greatest Olympic presidents ever alongside Pierre de Coubertin and Juan Antonio Samaranch. [/QUOTE]

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