THE International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge is set to make his maiden visit to Rwanda in August, 2011.

The National Olympic Committee (RNOC) head, Dr. Charles Rudakubana yesterday revealed that the former Olympic rowing champion will visit after attending the 13th World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

Last month, Rudakubana together with RNOC Secretary General Parfait Busabizwa paid a courtesy call to Rogge in Lausanne, Switzerland.

During the meeting, Rogge pledged to offer support to various RNOC projects.

While in Rwanda, the Belgian will pay a courtesy call to President Paul Kagame before flying to Burundi.

Rogge, an orthopedic surgeon by profession, is the eighth IOC president and was elected on July 16, 2001 at the 112th IOC Session in Moscow.

During his days as an active athlete, he competed in yachting competitions during the 1968 (Mexico), 1972 (Munich) and 1976 (Montreal) Olympic Games.
He also featured for the Belgian national rugby team.

Rogge served as President of the Belgian National Olympic Committee from 1989 to 1992. He became president of the European Olympic Committees in 1989, IOC member in 1991 and executive board member in 1998.

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