Our President and IOC Member – Pat Hickey accompanied IOC President – Dr. Jacques Rogge, IOC Vice President Mr Mario Pescante and a delegation from IOC headquarters on a visit to Jordan, Palestine and Israel. While in Jordan they met with Prince Feisal IOC Member for Jordan and NOC President.  During their visit to Palestine they visited the Amaari refugee camp in Ramallah Palestine and met with the Prime Minister,  Members of the Palestine Olympic Committee and Palestinian Athletes,  these young Athletes were truly inspiring. They then went to pay respect at the tomb of former President Arafat.     President Rogge laid the foundation stone for the new NOC Headquarters in Palestine at the Husseini Stadium Al Ram near Jerusulem.

 While in Israel they met with the President of the State of Israel President Shimon Peres at the Presidential Residence in Jerusalem. (Pat hickey pictured with President of Israel President Peres)

They then visited the NOC Headquarters of Israel and viewed the Olympic Experience Museum accompanied by IOC Member for Israel Alex Gilady.

President Hickey then had a meeting with the President of the NOC of Israel  Mr  Zvi  Varshaviak and the Secretary General Efraim Zinger (also member of the Executive Board of European Olympic Committees) in order to discuss mutual matters relating to the EOC.