Future Dutch King to Quit IOC; Rogge Pays Tribute

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(ATR) Dutch Prince Willem-Alexander will resign his IOC seat after becoming king in April.

The Dutch government made the announcement Tuesday, saying the Prince of Orange had asked IOC president Jacques Rogge to relieve him of his duties. His resignation will be effective at the end of 2013 following ratification at the IOC Session in Buenos Aires in September.

The announcement follows Queen Beatrix’s address to the nation Monday in which she revealed she was abdicating after 33 years on the throne to be succeeded by her eldest son.

In a statement Tuesday, IOC president Jacques Rogge said Willem-Alexander had personally informed him of his intention to resign as an IOC member, adding that he hoped the Crown Prince would remain close to the organization as an IOC Honorary Member.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Orange has been a tremendous asset to the world of sports and the International Olympic Committee since becoming an IOC Member in 1998," Rogge said.

"It is with no small regret that we accept his resignation from the IOC, but we are equally as enthusiastic to wish him well as he enters the next important stage of his life."

Rogge added: "The global sports community is grateful for his contributions over the years and the Olympic Movement will always receive the Crown Prince warmly as a true friend of sport."

An IOC member since 1998, Willem-Alexander has been a vocal supporter of Dutch Olympic teams over the years, regularly seen dressed in orange and cheering on his country’s athletes at both summer and winter Games.

The 45-year-old served on a number of IOC commissions, including the "IOC 2000" reform follow-up and Coordination Commissions for Winter Games in Vancouver and Sochi. He was a member of the Marketing Commission since 2010.

Willem-Alexander’s exit from the IOC later this year means there will be no official Dutch representation in its membership. IOC Coordination Commission chair for Beijing 2008 Hein Verbruggen remains an honorary member.

A Dutch NOC spokesman told Around the Rings that Willem-Alexander performed a great job in fulfilling his IOC functions.

"We hope that the IOC will soon appoint another Dutch IOC member," he said.

Reported by Mark Bisson.

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