"The entire Olympic Movement will deeply mourn the loss of a great friend and a passionate fan of sport," said IOC President Thomas Bach.

GENEVA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Sunday announced the passing of former IOC President Count Jacques Rogge.

▲File photo shows International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge leaves after a news conference in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, Sept. 4, 2013. (Xinhua/Martin Zabala)

Rogge, 79 years old, served as the eighth President of the IOC from 2001 to 2013.

"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," IOC President Thomas Bach said in a press release posted on the Committee's official website.

"The entire Olympic Movement will deeply mourn the loss of a great friend and a passionate fan of sport," said Bach.

▲File photo shows International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge (1st, R) gestures after German Thomas Bach (2nd, R) was elected as new IOC President during the announcement ceremony at the 125th IOC session in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Sept. 10, 2013. (Xinhua/Bao Feifei)

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