Antonio Samaranch was a Spanish sports administrator who served as the seventh President of the International Olympic Committee from 1980 to 2001 and was Vice-President from 1974 to 1978.

ANTONIO SAMARANCH

Samaranch was born in Barcelona, Spain. He was appointed Spanish ambassador to the Soviet Union and Mongolia in 1977.

During the 1970s the games themselves were such a burden on host cities that it appeared that no host would be found for future Olympiads. During his term as Vice -President and later President of the International Olympic Committee, Samaranch made the Olympic Games financially healthy, with big television deals and sponsorships.

In 2001, Samaranch did not apply for the presidency again. He became Honorary President for Life of the International Olympic Committee. Samaranch served the second longest term as the head of the IOC, 21 years .

17 July 1920

to 21 April 2010