Winter Olympics: bust of IOC president Thomas Bach unveiled in Beijing ahead of Games
- The former fencer, a polarising figure in world sport, has been immortalised in a ceremony headed by high-ranking organising commitee official Yu Zaiging
- His likeness near the Dongsi Community Olympic Park joins that of two previous IOC presidents as well modern Olympics founder Baron Pierre de Coubertin
“The Olympics include not only sport but art and culture,” said Yu, as first reported to state media mouthpiece CCTV during a speech at the official unveiling. “These works fully embody the art and culture of the Olympics.”
The bust of the German was unveiled outside the Dongsi Community Olympic Park in the Dongcheng district, which is close to the Forbidden City in Beijing. The piece is 72 centimetres high and was made by sculptor Yuan Xikun, who has previously done statues of other Olympic figures such as Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games.
Bach recently said he has “definitely” ruled out the cancellation of Beijing 2022 because of issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The international press has been relentless towards Bach and his handling of the past two Games during the global health crisis.
Beijing will employ a “closed-loop management system” for the Games, which means athletes, volunteers and officials will not be allowed outside designated areas and will undergo daily testing, which is part of a long list of requirements in their attempts to keep Covid-19 at bay.
