His words concluded a day which earlier saw the election of Thomas Bach as his Presidential successor after the German defeated closest challenger Richard Carrión of Puerto Rico with a second round majority.

Rogge urged everyone to unite behind Bach and expressed his pleasure in leaving the IOC in such a strong position.

He began his final speech by thanking his wife Anne for allowing him to deliver his "burning passion for this Movement".

After admitting that while "power often brings solitude, I never felt alone" he praised everyone with whom he has worked together "in a united team".

This included his colleagues for their "passion, guidance and friendship", as well as athletes, stakeholders, sponsors, federations and broadcasters.

He singled out director general Christophe De Kepper, as well as those who had assisted him "far away from the limelight" ever since he first became President of the European Olympic Committees in 1989.

Jacques Rogge congratulating his successor Thomas Bach in one his final acts as President of the IOC

Amid huge applause - to the extent that he had to repeatedly hold up his hands for silence - Rogge's top lip did wobble at one point as he clearly felt strong emotion. 

He was further praised by Russia's Vitali Smirnov who, after joining in 1971 is the longest serving IOC member.

Smirnov described first meeting Rogge in 1980 when the Belgian was Chef de Mission for his National Olympic Committee as they competed at the Moscow Olympic Games despite the boycott which dissuaded many other Western countries.

He described Rogge as "somebody who always did his duty" and showed a "passion for sport" which remained unblemished throughout his ascent from a three time Olympic sailor to his position at the helm of world sport.

A short video offered further opportunity for praise from sporting figures including athletes Sebastian Coe, Cathy Freeman and Félix Sánchez and rower Sir Steve Redgrave.  

In particular, his envelope opening skills were applauded in a satirical reference to his revealing of London as the host city for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Jacques Rogge doing what he does best and revealing an Olympic host city - on this occasion Rio de Janeiro as 2016 host in 2009

During his Presidency he also revealed the host cities for the 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2018 Games, as well as the choice of Tokyo as the 2020 venue last weekend. 

The video ended with Rogge describing his career as a "passionate quest for working hard".

He added that he now wishes to work through his huge collection of books and DVDs, while spending time with his young grandchildren.

Rogge then closed the session, as well as his Presidency, with the words "thank you for coming, have a safe journey home and I look forward to the Olympic Games in Sochi next year".