The duo, respective Presidents of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and International Olympic Committee (IOC), were honoured for how, in an "exceptional way", they have "furthered or contributed to the work of ANOC".

This came shortly after the annual meeting, the first to be held since an Extraordinary General Assembly in Lausanne in June, 2013, was officially opened by Thailand's Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha

Chan-o-cha, a military leader who seized power earlier this year, praised ANOC for bringing their international gathering to Thailand for the first time, adding how he was confident the insights shared at this meeting will boost cooperation and bring people together.

He claimed the country is "proud of this important opportunity to support and host this General Assembly, and reinforce the confidence everyone has in Thailand as a host for international events".

Both Bach and Sheikh Ahmad also provided opening addresses, with the former, who has now served 14 months as IOC chief, beginning by pointing how much has changed since the last ANOC General Assembly, when he was sitting "downstairs" as head of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB).

Bach's seven years as DOSB President, before he stepped down last year, was a key reason why he was awarded the ANOC Merit Award, an accolade first began in 1983 with an award for then IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch.



Diack, due to stand down next year after leading the IAAF for 16 years, also has experience as an NOC head, with the 81-year-old having led the Senegal National Olympic and Sports Committee from 1985 to 2002.

The honouring of both figures was followed by a roll call, where it was confirmed 203 of the 204 National Olympic Committees are present.

The only absentee is the US Virgin Islands absent due to a personal illness.

A moment of reflection also took place for sports leaders who have passed away in the last two months, with former South African President Nelson Mandela among these recognised.

New Zealand's former ANOC Executive Council member, Tay Wilson, and Guinea's IOC honorary member Alpha Ibrahim Diallo were among others remembered.

The Assembly will now continue over the next two days, with this morning consisting of reports by the IOC, the five ANOC continental associations and the various ANOC Commission and Working Groups.

Presentations will also be provided this afternoon by delegations from the Almaty and Beijing, the two remaining candidates in the race for the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

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