DURBAN, July 5 -- South African President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday night bestowed the country' s highest civilian honor on International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge in appreciation for the IOC' s significant contribution to the struggle against apartheid racial discrimination in South Africa.

At the official opening ceremony of the 123rd IOC session in the South African port city of Durban, Zuma said it was an opportunity for South Africans to recognize the outstanding contribution of the IOC to the struggle against apartheid and racial oppression, the South African Press Association (SAPA) reported.

Because of the former South African government' s apartheid policies, the IOC banned apartheid South Africa from entering the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

On Tuesday Zuma said this was a "critical intervention" in the fight against apartheid.

Decades later, when South Africa was advancing towards freedom and democracy, the IOC encouraged the formation of united non-racial sports federations.

Zuma said this led to democratic South Africa's participation in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona with "the IOC's full encouragement and support" .

In bestowing the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo (Gold class)on Rogge, South Africa was demonstrating its "immense gratitude to the IOC for the solidarity and commitment to human rights in our country."

Zuma said sport could help promote peace, friendship, unity and tolerance worldwide.

【体坛英语资讯：South African president honors Olympic chief】相关文章：

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Julia Roberts designs a first in Armani bracelet

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Eva desperately takes hubbys name

★ 体坛英语资讯：Coach cares for Liu like a son

★ 体坛英语资讯：China achieves best results on track and field

★ 体坛英语资讯：Bayern closer to title, Leverkusen tie

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Jolie looks to Africa again for a fifth child

★ 体坛英语资讯：Beijing National Stadium designers win award

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Lindsay Lohan checks back in rehab, report

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Jennifer Lopez is pregnant

★ 体坛英语资讯：Hurdler Liu to skip Golden League for Games