Bach led a group that was also joined by European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Patrick Hickey and representatives from 14 European National Olympic Committees (NOCs) at a reception hosted by GNOC President Leri Khabelov.

During the visit, officials also met with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili to celebrate Georgia's 25 years in the Olympic Movement following the break-up of the Soviet Union. 

Discussions were also held looking forward to Tbilisi hosting the Summer European Youth Olympic Festival next year from July 25 to August 1. 

At the reception, Bach said: "The International Olympic Committee remains ready to offer a platform to all the National Olympic Committees in the region to foster relations between the young athletes so that they can meet each other and get to know each other better."

Earlier in the day, Khabelov signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Olympic Committees of of Lithuania, Greece, Estonia, Ukraine, Poland and Moldova.

A special sculpture "Ode to Georgian Olympians", which represents all Olympic champions and medal winners for Georgia was unveiled outside GNOC headquarters.

After gaining independence from the old Soviet Union in 1991, Georgia made its Olympic debut at the Winter Games in Lillehammer in 1994.

Two years later the country made its debut at the Summer edition in Atlanta and has appeared at every Games since.

Bach met with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili as celebrations were held to mark 25 years of the Olympic Movement in the country ©IOC/Ian Jones




It has won a total of 25 medals, including six gold.

Its first medal was a bronze in judo for Soso Liparteliani, while its first gold came in the same sport when Zurab Zviadauri won the men's under 90 kilogram at Athens 2004.

Beijing 2008 was its most successful Olympics when it won a total of six medals, three of them gold.

Georgia took part in this year's Winter Olympic Games in Sochi but only after lifting a threat tpo boycott the event due to ongoing tensions with Russia over the disputed regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Georgian President Margvelashvili highlighted the importance of sport to Georgia and its role in peace-building when addressing those at the reception in Tbilisi.

"Sport has always been important to our country throughout its history," he said.

"But after independence it became even more important.

"Sport can solve the problems that diplomats and politicians cannot.

"Through sport we can build peace and learn to cooperate."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
June 2014: Georgia National Olympic Committee extends sponsorship deal with Azerbaijan oil company
May 2013: Georgia officially lift threat of Sochi 2014 boycott
November 2012: Georgia set to officially announce participation at Sochi 2014 after boycott threat dropped