Elguja Berishvili, who is serving as the first vice-president of the Georgian National Olympic Committee got the Pierre de Coubertin medal Wednesday. The award was given by the first vice-president of the IOC John Coates the president of the International Court of Arbitration for Sports.
Members of the IOC(International Olympic Committee) attended the awarding ceremony. Other high-ranking officials of the International Olympic Committee including SOC President Leri Khabelov and Secretary General Emzar Zenaishvili were also present.
John Coates speaking on the occasion emphasized the importance of promoting Olympicism and the outstanding contribution made by Elguja Berishvili in this matter. He also thanked the nominee for many years of fruitful work in the Olympic movement and wished him new successes.
Coates further lauds Elguja Berishvili’s fruitful work promoting Olympic values during his tenure. He conveyed to the nominee the warm congratulations of the IOC president Thomas Bach regarding the awarding of the medal.
In his speech of thanks the Georgian first president Elguja Berishvili, noted that it was a great honor for him to receive the medal which was established in memory of Baron Pierre de Coubertin the founder of the modern Olympic movement.
He added “I feel as if I have become an Olympic champion today. I am very happy and proud of this news. I want to thank the President of the IOC Mr. Thomas Bach, the First Vice President Mr. John Coates, and other members of the IOC Executive Board who recognized my work in the Olympic Movement.”
He further added “Thanks to the leaders of the Georgian Olympic committee for submitting my candidacy. I am glad that the medal was presented to me on the day of the Olympic Games in Paris when the world’s strongest athletes competed for the coveted awards.”
He also added “ We have high hopes that the ranks of Georgian medalists will increase. Georgia is a small country with great sports traditions. Along with the medals won at various times in the Olympic race we already have the Pierre de Coubertin medal. Thank you again for that.”
