A farewell ceremony will held in Beijing on Saturday for He Zhenliang, former International Olympic Committee (IOC) member and vice president, the Chinese Olympic Committee announced on Monday.

He, who was also the honorary president of the Chinese Olympic Committee, died of illness at a hospital in Beijing on Sunday, aged 85.

The IOC expressed sadness at the death of former vice president He Zhenliang of China on Sunday. IOC President Thomas Bach has asked for the Olympic flag to be flown half-mast for three days in tribute to He at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

He was elected to the IOC in 1981 and elected IOC vice president in 1989. Nicknamed "China's Mr. Olympics", He was instrumental in Beijing's successful bid for the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games.

Original title by Ecns.cn: Former IOC member He Zhenliang's funeral set for Jan. 10