23 October 2024 – The next destination for President Bach on his African tour was Lesotho. Landing in Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, President Bach was met by the IOC Member in the country, Matlohang Moiloa-Ramoqopo, and the President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC), Tlali Rampooana. He was accompanied throughout the visit by IOC Member and Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) President Mustapha Berraf.

They went directly to State House for a meeting with the acting Prime Minister, and discussed sport in the country and its role in development, as well as the important part that sport plays in health and education in the country. President Bach praised the performance of Lesotho’s athletes and the excellent support of the NOC.

Later, at a school in Maseru, the President was able to meet and speak with young athletes, and attend a musical and cultural performance. He also met the manager of Lesotho’s Olympafrica centre, which works on grassroots sport in the country.

In a roundtable discussion with athletes from the country at the NOC headquarters, President Bach spoke about the support that the IOC was providing to help support athletes. He also praised the great performance of athletes from Lesotho at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, to which Lesotho sent three athletes, two female and one male, and achieved seventh place in the men’s marathon. All three athletes are Olympic Solidarity scholarship-holders.

President Bach also praised the great supporting role of the NOC for athletes and the remarkable work done by the IOC Member in the country, Matlohang Moiloa-Ramoqopo.

In the evening, President Bach attended a gala evening where they celebrated the achievements of Lesotho athletes at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the great performance of the athletes.

He told the audience: “Lesotho may be small geographically – but it is a country with big passion for sport. Your Olympic athletes have inspired a whole new generation.”

President Bach was joined at the event by the country’s Sports Minister and the NOC President, both of whom praised the performance of their athletes at the Olympic Games and the power of sport to change the world.