Ryotaro Azuma

Ryotaro Azuma studied medicine at the Imperial University of Tokyo, where he rowed, and when he furthered his studies in England, he became a member of the Thames Rowing Club. Azuma was a doctor and professor at his alma mater in 1934. He became President of the Japanese AAA (Amateur Athletic Association) and of the Japanese Olympic Committee from 1947-58. He later served on the Organizing Committees for the 1964 Tokyo Games and the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. Azuma served as Metropolitan Governor of Tokyo in 1959.

Azuma became an IOC Member in an unusual manner. He was invited by IOC President J. Sigfrid Edström to attend the 1950 IOC Session but upon his arrival his candidature was blocked as Japan already had two members. This was solved when IOC Member Matsuzo Nagai, who was in poor health, agreed to resign in Azuma’s favor. He served on the IOC until his resignation in October 1968. Azuma was a member of the Executive Board from August 1960 to October 1964, the first Asian to serve on the Board.