IOC PRESIDENT THOMAS BACH JOINED THE NOC OF LITHUANIA AND ITS PRESIDENT, DAINA GUDZINEVIČIŪTĖ, TO CELEBRATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF LITHUANIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES BARCELONA 1992.
Addressing a gala dinner, where he was joined by the Lithuanian Prime Minister, Saulius Skvernelis, President Bach told the audience: "The participation in the Olympic Games Barcelona 1992 by a newly independent Lithuania was a milestone not only for Lithuania but for the whole Olympic Movement."
Also at the celebrations in Vilnius were the Presidents of the NOCs of Latvia and Estonia, for whom Barcelona was also their reappearance as independent nations at the Olympic Games, as well as representatives of many European NOCs.
Later, the President also met the Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite. They discussed a number of issues on sport in Lithuania and Europe, and the upcoming Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
President Bach told the Lithuanian President he was, "impressed by the performance of Lithuanian athletes and also the work the NOC is doing particularly related to education and grass roots sport." And he told her, "the NOC is leading the way."
Later, the President opened the 'Advancing Women in Leadership Roles Forum for Europe.' He told delegates the IOC was "committed to gender equality, not only for participation but also in leadership positions."