Rudolf, Graf Colloredo-Mannsfeld

Rudolf, Count Colloredo-Mannsfeld was descended from a distinguished Austrian noble family. He studied law but later became a commissioner for Lower Austria and a member of the regional Parliament. He was chosen as President of the Austrian Central Association for Sport in 1914 and served thru the war, until 1921.

Count Colloredo-Mannsfeld was co-opted onto the IOC in 1911 and served until 1919. He realized that Austrian members were going to be suspended because of the nation’s role in the war, so he resigned at that time. In 1924 he took over his family estate in Sierndorf, which he had inherited. In 1938 the Germans took over his estate and he fled to Vienna, but he was caught, arrested there, and sent to Buchenwald. Fortunately he was released from the concentration camp after three months, and lived in Vienna until 1945. In 1947 he re-joined the government as an Economy Councillor and was elected President of the Austrian Hunting & Shooting Association. Count Colloredo-Mannsfeld died on his estate in March 1948.