ADVERTISEMENTThe International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Saturday condemned the Paris attacks which left at least 129 people dead and hundreds critically injured.
Four gunmen killed 80 people attending a rock concert at the Bataclan music hall, while about 40 more were killed in five other attacks across the French capital, including a triple suicide bombing at the national stadium, Stade de France.
Hollande and the German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier were watching a friendly football match between France and Germany there when the attacks occurred.
The coordinated assault came as France, a member of the NATO coalition waging air strikes against ISIS, was on the highest possible alert.
“These attacks are deeply shocking. The IOC condemns these barbaric and cowardly acts, said IOC president Thomas Bach in a statement.
“This is not only an attack on the people of France and Paris, this is an attack on humanity and all humanitarian and Olympic Values.
“We stand united with all people from all around the globe. Our thoughts are of course with the families and friends of those who have been killed or wounded.
“In these dark times, we should remember the unifying power of sport to unite people and communities and to bring peace and reconciliation. Today all people of goodwill will say: We are all French.”
In addition, Bach said he had sent a letter of condolence to French president Francois Hollande, while the Olympic flag at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne was also put at half-mast to remember the victims of the tragedy.
The IOC is the latest sports body to offer support in wake of Friday’s heinous attacks in the Paris region, with the acting FIFA president earlier sending a letter to the French and German football associations who were affected by the attacks.