José Beracasa

José Beracasa was a founding member of the Venezuelan Olympic Committee in 1935, and served three terms as President – 1942-50, 1954-74, and 1978-80. His career was in business, especially in banking and insurance, and he headed over 20 companies. Beracasa was a member of the national champion basketball team in 1938 and helped found the Venezuelan Basketball Federation. He also was instrumental in forming the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO), which runs the Pan American Games, and served a term as President of that organization, serving concurrently as President of the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organization (CASCO). Beracasa was co-opted onto the IOC in 1968 and resigned in 1981, becoming an Honorary Member in 1983.