André Richer

André Richer rowed coxed fours at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, which was only the beginning of a life-long career in sports. He also competed at the 1959 Pan American Games in Chicago, and was a Brazilian and South American champion.

Being a member of Flamengo between 1969-73 led to Richer becoming director of the Brazilian Football Confederation between 1975-86. From 1969-79 he was a director, and then vice-president (1970-78), for Latin America with Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron (FISA). He was a member of the CND (National Council of Sports) from 1974-95.

Richer was Brazilian Chef de Mission at the 1980 Moskva, 1984 Los Angeles, and 1988 Seoul Olympics, as well as at three Pan American Games – Caracas (1983), Indianapolis (1987), and Havana (1991). He served for many years with the Comitê Olímpico do Brasil (COB), and was president from 1990-95, and then secretary-general and vice-president from 1995-2016. Richer was also secretary-general of ODEPA (Organización Deportiva Panamericana / Pan American Sports Organization) until 1995 and ODESUR (Organización Deportiva Suramericana / South American Sports Organization) until 1998.