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The IOC has awarded its highest honor to Dutch king Willem-Alexander after he relinquished his membership to focus on matters at home.
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge presented the Olympic gold order to Willem-Alexander during a session in Buenos Aires on Sunday.
Willem-Alexander stepped down after acceding to the Dutch throne in April. He likely will be replaced by KLM executive Camiel Eurlings in an election Tuesday.
Willem-Alexander became an IOC member in 1998 and said ''in no way this means I'm distancing myself from the values'' of the IOC and the Olympic Movement.
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He will remain an honorary IOC member.
The 46-year-old Willem-Alexander is the youngest monarch in Europe and the first Dutch king in 123 years.
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