Olaf Ditlev-Simonsen was approved as an IOC Member at the 1948 Session in London, but it was stipulated that he would not become a Member until Thomas Fearnley resigned, so Ditlev-Simonsen did not become a full member until 1950. He was a wealthy ship owner, and won a silver medal in the 8-metre yachting class at the 1936 Olympics. A versatile sportsman, he was 11-time bandy national champion, won five caps for football (soccer), and was a talented skiier. He was President of the Royal Yacht Club and of the Organizing Committee for the 1952 Oslo Winter Games. At the 1966 IOC Session in Roma, Ditlev-Simonsen announed that he wished to resign as a Member, and suggested candidates for his replacement. At the end of the Session he was elected as an Honorary Member. However, Ditlev-Simonsen appeared at the 1967 IOC Session in Tehran, and participated actively. At the end of that Session he was again elected as an Honorary Member, finally retiring this time.