The IOC Presient was joined by Ueli Maurer, Swiss Federal Councillor and head of the Federal Department of Defence, Cvil Protection and Sport, Daniel Brélaz, Mayor of Lausanne, and Philippe Leuba, State Councillor in recognising the landmark.

The day began at the Bois-de-Vaux cemetery, where Bach paid tribute to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Movement, who established the IOC’s headquarters in Lausanne on April 10, 1915, in agreement with the city.

“It was the right decision to take then and it still is now,” the IOC President said.

“One century later, the Olympic Movement continues to flourish in the city that Coubertin chose.

“Though we are already implementing the recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020, it is certain that Coubertin, a visionary and reformer at heart, would have loved to take part in this new stage in the future of the Olympic Movement and offer us sage advice.”

The Olympic Museum will also pay homage to the anniversary with a Centenary Exhibition which has been set up on the Helvétie boat on the quai d’Ouchy until 15 October, and retraces the various chapters of this union between the IOC and the city of Lausanne.

Bach also looked ahead to the IOC consolidating their headquarters in Lausanne, with organisation would develop a new headquarters at Vidy, in the Swiss city, to group together its administration of 500 people, having been granted a 100 lease by the City of Lausanne.

The IOC believe the new headquarters, developed by Danish architectural firm 3XN, will be a symbolic building which also meets the highest demands of sustainable development.

Additionally the project, requiring CHF 200 million (£139 million/$204 million/€192 million) investment form the IOC, aims to encourage integration with the local population and in addition to the environmental and historical heritage.

“At a time when we are speaking about the future of our Movement with Olympic Agenda 2020, the new headquarters is a bridge between the roots of the IOC in Lausanne and our vision for the future,” said Bach.

The city’s population will be given the opportunity to join in with the centenary celebrations with a photo exhibition at taking place between April 10 and October 15, at various landmarks in the city, including the IOC headquarters in Vidy, the Olympic Museum, and Villa Mon-Repos.

The three landmarks, in addition to other Olympic locations in the city will stage an Open Day on June 27 and 28, the day after an Olympic Day Run takes place across Lausanne, drawing to a close in the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium.

A series of sporting activities aimed at children and teenagers is also due to take place as part of Olympic Week, from October 12 to 15.