Suat Erler was a swimmer and diver who won the Turkish championship in 100 freestyle in 1927 and 1931, and he was also a national champion in high board diving. He studied at the University of Berlin later opening his own financial trading firm. In 1945 Erler founded the İstanbul Swimming Club, which in 1958 was awarded the Thomas Fearnley Cup by the IOC. Erler served as Secretary-General of the Turkish Olympic Committee until 1973 and was Vice-President of the Organizing Committee of the 1971 Mediterranean Games, held in İzmir. Erler became an IOC Member in June 1955 and served until his death, which occurred at the İstanbul Airport while he was en route to the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics.
Türkiye