Vitaly Smirnov

Vitaly Smirnov studied at the State Central Order of Lenin Institute of Physical Education in Moskva, graduating in 1958. He later became a member of the Moskva Soviet, 1st Vice-President of the USSR Sports Committee, and Chairman of the Sports Committee of the Russian Federation. His primary sports were swimming and water polo, and he played on the Soviet masters’ water polo team. In sports administration, Smirnov was 1st Vice-Minister of Sport in the USSR from 1970-77, President of the USSR Olympic Committee from 1990-92, and then President of the Russian Olympic Committee from 1992-2001. Smirnov was also Executive President of the Organizing Committee for the 1980 Olympic Games in Moskva. In Russia and the Soviet Union he received many honors for his work in sports, including the Order of Merit for the Fatherland (1996, 2001, 2010), Order of Honour (1994), Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1985), Order of Friendship of Peoples (1980), and the Order of the Badge of Honour (1966, 1970 and 1976).

Smirnov became an IOC Member in 1971, and remained on it through 2014. He served three terms on the Executive Board, from 1974-81, 1986-95, and 2001-05. He was also in the Vice-Presidential line of succession three times, serving as IOC 1st Vice-President in 1980-81, 1994-95, and 2004-05. He was on several IOC Commissions, as follows: Commission for the Olympic Programme (1972-78, Chairman 1983-91), Olympic Solidarity (1973-75), Tripartite Commission (1979-82), Council of the Olympic Order (1980-82, 1991-95), Commission for the Olympic Movement (1986-90, 1991-95), Commission for the Preparation of the XII Olympic Congress (1992-94), and Chairman of the Eligibility Commission (1992-1998).