27 February 2025 – IOC President Thomas Bach was guest of honour of the Canton of Vaud and the City of Lausanne at a special joint ceremony on Wednesday evening, with both awarding him their highest distinction in recognition of his engagement with the region. The ceremony took place at the Lausanne Hotel School, where President Bach received the “Mérite Cantonal Vaudois” and the “Médaille d’Or de la Ville de Lausanne”.
The President of the Council of State, Christelle Luisier Brodard, and the Mayor of Lausanne, Grégoire Junod, were joined by Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, who also paid tribute to the IOC President.
The leaders, from the City, Canton and Confederation, underlined President Bach’s great attachment to the Canton of Vaud and the City of Lausanne, highlighting his deep engagement with local people.
“We have come together to celebrate a President of the IOC who is engaged and close to the population, and thus a formidable ambassador of our city and our Canton,” said the Mayor. He presented the IOC President with the Médaille d’Or de la Ville de Lausanne “in recognition of your engagement for a world built on solidarity, using sport as an instrument for peace and dialogue between countries, and for your promotion of the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect”.
Awarding the “Mérite Cantonal Vaudois”, Councillor of State Brodard said, “I have always been impressed by your sense of humour and proximity to people.” She continued: “You have done so much for Lausanne and for the Canton, as well as building the role of Lausanne as the Olympic Capital, and for Switzerland in the world of sport.” Here, she singled out the huge success of the Winter Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020. “No one could have imagined what a great success these Games would be for everyone. For this gift that you have given us, and for everything else you have done, thank you,” she added.
Following the presentation of the two honours, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin also paid tribute to the IOC President’s achievements. “All the institutional levels of our government are represented here this evening to pay tribute to you, Mr President, dear Thomas. This is a very rare occurrence in Switzerland for one man. At the same time, it is not only recognition of the man, it is also appreciation for all his accomplishments in the service of international sport.”
Accepting the distinctions, President Bach said, “As an Olympian I could feel straightaway that Lausanne breathes and lives sport. For me it was a great happiness to share this joy of sport with everyone here in Lausanne, throughout my years as IOC President.” He added: “Our friendship goes beyond our roles and our responsibilities. That is why I am happy to to continue to share our friendship in the future, when I shall have a little more free time. I can assure you I will not miss an opportunity to come back to Lausanne and to the Canton, because Lausanne is now engraved in my heart.”
