The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded in 1894 by
Pierre de Coubertin to try to revive the ancient
Greek Olympics. It is based in
Lausanne,
Switzerland.
From the IOC website:
The IOC is an international non-governmental non-profit organization and the creator of the Olympic Movement. The IOC exists to serve as an umbrella organization of the Olympic Movement. It owns all rights to the Olympic symbols, flag, motto, anthem and Olympic Games. Its primary responsibility is to supervise the organization of the summer and winter Olympic Games.
Below is a chronological listing of the IOC's presidents and their nationalities:
Dates President Country
1894-1896 Demetrius Vikélas Greece
1896-1925 Pierre de Coubertin France
1925-1942 Henri de Baillet-Latour Belgium
1946-1952 J. Sigfrid Edström Sweden
1952-1972 Avery Brundage United States
1972-1980 Lord Killanin (Michael Morris) Ireland
1980-2001 Juan Antonio Samaranch Spain
2001- Jacques Rogge Belgium
If an editor thinks this should go in the nodeshell International Olympic Committee instead, /msg me and I'll move it. Thanks.