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Juan Antonio Samaranch (Spain)
Born on July 17, 1920, in Barcelona, Spain.
Passed away on April 21, 2010, at the age of 89.
Nationality:
Spain
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Enshrined as a contributor in the FIBA Hall of Fame on August 27, 2016.

Highlights

  • Graduated from the Barcelona Institute of Higher Business Studies (IESE) (1962)
  • City councilor for the City of Barcelona responsible for sports (1954-1962)
  • Vice-President of the II International Mediterranean Games Committee in Barcelona (1955)
  • President of Barcelona Provincial Council Sports Committee (1955-1966)
  • Spanish Provincial President of Sports (1955-1956)
  • Spanish Olympic Committee Member (1956-1967)
  • Chef de Mission for the Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1956), the Olympic Games in Rome (1960) and Tokyo (1964)
  • President of Barcelona International Boat Show (1963-1978)
  • Elected as member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) (1966)
  • Director of Physical Education and Sport in Spain (1966-1970)
  • President of the Spanish Olympic Committee (1967-1970)
  • National Delegate of Sports (1967-1970)
  • IOC Head of Protocol (1968-1975, 1979-1980)
  • IOC Executive Board Member (1970-1978, 1979-1980)
  • President of the Provincial Council of Barcelona (1973-1977)
  • IOC Vice President (1974-1978)
  • Ambassador of Spain in the USSR and Mongolia (1977-1980)
  • Seventh IOC President (1980-2001)
  • Contributed to the end of amateurism and enabled professionals’ access to Olympic competitions
  • General Director of “La Caixa” (1984-1987) and later President (1987-1999)
  • President of the Spanish Chapter of the Spain-China Forum and Co-President of the Spain-China Forum (2003)

Distinctions & Recognitions

  • Prince of Asturias Award for Sports (1988)
  • Seoul Peace Prize (1990)
  • Awarded the title of “Marqués de Samaranch” by the King of Spain for his involvement in the Olympic Movement (1991)
  • Gold Medal of the city of Barcelona (1993)
  • La Caixa” Honorary President (1999-2010)
  • Gold Collar of the Order of Isabel la Católica (Spain, 2000)
  • Member of the Académie Française des Sports
  • IOC Honorary Life President (2001-2010)
  • Honorary President of the Spain-China Council (2004)
  • Honorary President of Sport Cultura Barcelona (2004)