Dr Thomas Bach, Honorary President for Life, International Olympic Committee

In a video address at the opening ceremony, International Olympic Committee Honorary President Thomas Bach congratulated PBC on reaching its 10th anniversary. He highlighted the power of sport to build a better world, noting that athletes compete fiercely at the Olympic Games while living harmoniously together in the Olympic Village, embodying the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.

He described sport as a low-cost, high-impact tool for building healthier and more inclusive communities, and as a bridge that brings people together through the pursuit of excellence, friendship and mutual respect. Recalling The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s important contribution to the successful staging of the equestrian events at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, he emphasised that philanthropy can play a vital role by investing in sport, enabling more people and communities to share in its benefits. He said that this year’s Forum theme, “Leaping for Impact”, captures this shared ambition, encouraging participants to move forward with determination and courage.