Moment International Olympic Committee boss takes a heavy tumble

As boss of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach is always willing to throw himself into sport on his global travels.

But the German chief wasn’t expecting to take a tumble during a fencing demonstration while visiting Brisbane on Saturday afternoon.

The 68-year-old – who won gold in fencing at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, picked up the foil for a brief demonstration while on a tour of the 2032 host city over the weekend.

IOC president Thomas Bach took a heavy tumble while doing a fencing demonstration in Brisbane – despite winning a gold medal in the sport

However, as he leapt forward in attack, his opponent swiftly moved out of the way and the IOC chief lost his balance and was unable to stop himself falling to his right in a surprise moment for onlookers.

Bach was helped back to his feet, gave his opponent a high five and gave a thumbs up to the crowd to show that he was fit to continue. 

Despite his slightly embarrassing moment, the German enjoyed a positive visit to Queensland on Saturday, the first time he has travelled to the city since it was awarded the 2032 Olympics last year.  

Bach saw the funny side of things after falling over during a visit to Brisbane on Saturday

Bach said that the 2032 Brisbane Summer Games will be a significant event not only for Australia but for the entire Pacific region, having visited the region before flying Down Under.

‘I can say because I have been travelling in the meantime in the Pacific, that these Olympic Games will not only be Games in Australia, and for Australia, this will be an Olympic Games with the whole Pacific region,’ he said.

‘But what is important for Brisbane and Australia is what I said before, it’s everywhere, it’s a great anticipation of these Games Brisbane 2032. They are all excited, they are all motivated.’

The 68-year-old was visiting the city ahead of its hosting of the games in 10 years time

Brisbane will become the third Australian city to host the Olympics, after Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.

Bach, who took part in an ‘Olympics Unleashed’ session at a high school in south Brisbane, said the challenge was to keep the momentum going.

‘We see now the Olympic spirit truly alive here in Brisbane and Queensland and Australia. And this will be the challenge for the next 10 years to keep this Olympic spirit as alive as it is and to reach out to the world,’ he said.