The decision was revelaled by IOC President Thomas Bach during the last day of the Session held her today. 

"Beijing 2022 could not have achieved this level of excellence without the support of the Chinese people," Bach said.

"They were greatly committed to the success of the Games, we could feel their warmth, energy, hospitality and support.

"We all have experienced the support of the Chinese people, even from within our closed loop.

"Chinese people from all walks of life, across all generations, from the cultural world, artists, scientists, engineers, school children and the thousands of volunteers, all welcomed the athletes and us very, very warmly,"

The citizens of Beijing were awarded the Cup in 2008 as recognition of their contribution to the  success of the Olympic Games.

The Olympic Cup is an award in the gift of the IOC and in recent years the trend has been to recognise the host cities of Olympic and Youth Olympic Games.

In 2010, the Cup went to Vancouver and Singapore, and in 2012 to London and Innsbruck, while Rio and Lillehammer were both selected in 2016.

The original of the trophy is kept at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.

It was inaugurated in 1906 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin and the first recipients were the Touring Club of France.

Henley Royal Regatta were the winners in 1907 and since then the Olympic Cup has also been presented to many other organisations as diverse Rugby School, Brazilian football club Fluminense, and the YMCA.

More controversially, in 1939, the IOC selected "Strength Through Joy", the Nazi leisure organisation to receive the cup.

In recent years the United Nations and its  High Commission for Refugees have both been recognised, alongside the city of Lausanne, home of the IOC.