CASTRIES, St Lucia – International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge ended a visit to St Lucia on Monday hailing his whirlwind Caribbean tour as a success.

Accompanied by the Pan American Sports Organisation president Mario Vasquez Rana, Rogge said the tour had given his delegation the opportunity to hear first hand the problems national Olympic committees were experiencing.

"This is something that you learn much better in discussions with the executive rather than in a rather bureaucratic e-mail report," Rogge said.

"Speaking with the people, you know exactly what the problems are and this helps us in improving our strategy in terms of Olympic solidarity."

Rogge was speaking at a news conference held immediately after his arrival at the GeorgeF.L. Charles Airport on Sunday.

The Olympic chief also said one of the aims of the tour was to have dialogue with the political directorate of the various islands.

"They play a very important role, so in all the countries we had a meeting with the head of state, a meeting with the prime minister [Stephenson King], a meeting with the minister of sport that has allowed us to discuss together with the national Olympic committee on the situation of sport. In a way you can say that the [IOC] is opening the door to the political world," Rogge said.

He said the trip also allowed them to pay tribute to the many volunteers who were working behind the scenes to keep the Olympic movement alive.

"We met them systematically in all the countries and Mario and I have been able to express our gratitude for what they were doing," he added.

The members of the delegation were guests of honour at a reception held at the prime minister's official residence Sunday evening. (AP)