Ashwini Kumar

A man of eclectic interests, Ashwini Kumar was a police officer and an Urdu poet. He served as Head of India’s Border Security for many years and advised several Olympic Organizing Committees on security matters. He played many sports, including hockey, rowing, athletics, and boxing. In sports administration, Kumar was President of the Amateur Athletic Federation of India, the Punjab Olympic Association for 12 years, the Indian Hockey Federation for 16 years, and the Indian Basketball Federation for 15 years. He also served as Vice-President of the International Hockey Federation and was Secretary-General of the Indian Olympic Association.

Kumar became an IOC Member in October 1973 and remained a member until his retirement in December 2000. He had two terms on the Executive Board, from 1980-87 and from 1992-96. He was in the Vice-Presidential line of succession, serving as 3rd Vice-President from 1983-84, 2nd Vice-President from 1984-86, and 1st Vice-President from 1986-87. He also served on multiple IOC Commissions, including Commission for Olympic Solidarity (1980-84), Commission for the Olympic Movement (1983-87, 1992-96), Mass Media Commission (1983-89), Radio Commission (1983-87), Council of the Olympic Order (1983-87), and Commission for the Preparation of the XII Olympic Congress (1985-87).