BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The IOC has awarded its highest honor to Dutch king Willem-Alexander after he relinquished his membership to focus on matters at home.
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge presented the Olympic gold order to Willem-Alexander during a session in Buenos Aires on Sunday.
Willem-Alexander stepped down after acceding to the Dutch throne in April. He likely will be replaced by KLM executive Camiel Eurlings in an election Tuesday.
Willem-Alexander became an IOC member in 1998 and said “in no way this means I’m distancing myself from the values” of the IOC and the Olympic Movement.
