Günther Heinze

Günther Heinze studied political science and also received a sport teaching certificate, later working as a civil servant in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). As a youth he participated in multiple sports, including basketball, volleyball, athletics, and skiing.

In the former GDR (East Germany), and especially in basketball, Heinze started in sports administration in the early 1950s, serving as Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sport (1954-57), Vice-President of the Sports and Gymnastics Union of the GDR for international relations (1957-89), then President of the Basketball Section (1952-55); member of the Presidium of the Basketball Association of the GDR (1955-70); member of the Presidium of the Volleyball Association of the GDR (1970-84); Vice-President of the NOC of the GDR (1955-72; 1982-89) then Secretary General (1973-82); international referee for FIBA (1952-56); member of the FIBA Financial Commission (1956-60); Vice-President of the FIBA Commission for International Organization (1964-72). He was also a member of the Presidium of the International Friendship League of the GDR; and a member of the Presidium of the UNESCO Commission of the GDR until 1990.

Heinze became an IOC Member in 1981 and served until 1992, after the re-unification of Germany, and after which he was made an Honorary Member. During his tenure Heinze served on the following IOC Commissions – Olympic Solidarity (1973-80), Radio (1983-87), Radio and Television (1988-90), Study and Evaluation for the Preparation of the Olympic Games (1985-88), and the Olympic Programme Commission (1989-91).