IOC Session: President Thomas Bach thanks Nita Ambani for 'overwhelming hospitality' on final day

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach thanked Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani for her “overwhelming hospitality” during the 141st IOC Annual Session on Tuesday.

The high-profile event, in which a number of key decisions were taken including the reintroduction of cricket to the Summer Olympics, came to a conclusion on Tuesday and Bach’s comments came towards the conclusion of the third and final day.

“I’d like to thank our most gracious host Nita Ambani in whose premises we are here. But she has not only offered us the doors of her premises, she has opened all her heart and hospitality and friendliness to all of us every moment during out stay.

“So, heartfelt thanks to you and all your team for this really overwhelming hospitality and for all the efficient services you have delivered to us and to make it possible that this IOC Session could become such a great success. Thank you very much,” the Olympic gold-winning former fencer said on Tuesday.

The IOC Session, which returned to India after four decades, took place in Mumbai’s Jio World Centre between 15 to 17 October.

Besides Ambani, Bach also thanked the army of volunteers who oversaw the smooth functioning of the event.

The IOC took the key decision of formally approving the inclusion of cricket along with four other sports — baseball/softball, lacrosse (sixes), flag football and squash — in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Cricket, thus will be returning to the world’s biggest sporting event after more than a century with the only fixture in Olympic history having taken place between Great Britain and France in the 1900 Paris Games. Britain defeated France in that match by 158 runs to win gold.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced India’s bid to host the 36th Summer Olympics in 2036. IOC chief Bach, though, later added that a decision on that matter isn’t likely to be taken until 2026 or 2027. Should India bag the rights, Ahmedabad is likely to be picked as the host city.