BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- 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.

IOC President Thomas Bach has asked for the Olympic flag to be flown half-mast for three days in tribute to He.

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.