Bach says Olympic world stands 'side by side' with France

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) IOC President Thomas Bach has expressed his solidarity with the French people following the "barbaric" attack on a French newspaper that left 12 people dead.

Bach sent a letter to French President Francois Hollande expressing "shock and grief" over Wednesday's shooting at the Paris offices of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo.

Bach says "such barbaric acts are an attack on the values of all civilized people from whatever country, religion or creed."

The letter says: "This was a shocking, brutal attack not just on France but on the values for which we all stand, and the values on which the Olympic Movement is also built."

Bach adds that "we in the Olympic Movement stand side by side with you and with France in solidarity."