Buenos Aires, Sept 11: Jacques Rogge laid down the office he held as the eighth Interntional Olympic Committee (IOC) president here with an emotional speech that received standing applause from members.

The short, three-minute speech on Tuesday was full of gratitude and best wishes for the future of the Olympic movement. Rogge said his thanks to his family, his colleagues and all stakeholders.

"My loving family was happy to get me back. I thank them deeply for having allowed me to live this burning passion on our movement," said Rogge.

"You, my dear colleagues, have always supported me to give me help, to give me guidance and to give me friendship," he said.

The outgoing IOC president admitted "the exercise of duty and power often bring solitude".

Rogge: Athletes are the core of the movement

However, Rogge never felt alone, whose 12 years reign at the IOC came to an end on Tuesday.

He highlighted the athletes as "core of the movement" while recording his appreciation for all partners and stakeholders as they worked with IOC as a "united team".

The 125th IOC session here on Tuesday elected German sports veteran Thomas Bach as their ninth president succeeding Rogge.

Bach, a lawyer, businessman and Olympic champion in fencing at Montreal 1976 Games, has served as vice-president of IOC since the beginning of this millennium.

IANS