President of the IOC from 1952 to 1972
Born in Detroit, Michigan, on 28 September 1887, Mr Avery Brundage
graduated from the University of Illinois in 1909 with a degree in civil
engineering, magna cum laude. In addition to being a brilliant student, he
distinguished himself in athletics. Without neglecting his sports career, he
then went into business and in 1915 founded the Avery Brundage Company Builders
(1915-1947) which constructed a number of big buildings and skyscrapers around
Chicago.
He represented his country at the Games of the V Olympiad in Stockholm in
1912, and was three times amateur all-round champion of the United States, a
speciality similar to the decathlon. After retiring from active competition, he
became interested in the administrative side of sport, occupying the posts of
President of the Amateur Athletics Union of the United States (seven terms of
office), President of the United States Olympic Committee for twenty-five years
(1929-1953), President of the Pan-American Games Association (PASO), etc. After
becoming a member of the IOC in 1936, and Vice-President in 1945, in 1952 he was
elected President and watched over the destiny of the Olympic Movement until
1972 becoming Life Honorary President from 1972 to 1975. A great advocate of
amateurism, he was the author of many articles on amateur sport and the Olympic
Movement.
During his frequent journeys all over the world, Mr Avery Brundage amassed
one of the finest and largest collections of Asian art in the world. Estimated
to be worth 50 million dollars, this collection was donated to the City of San
Francisco, which built a museum to house it in the famous Golden Gate Park.
Down through the years, Mr Avery Brundage received countless decorations and
awards from different countries, towns and organisations wishing to express
their appreciation and gratitude. Avery Brundage died on 8 May 1975, in
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
