Obituary

Hall of Fame Greco-Roman Wrestler Andersson Passes Away

By United World Wrestling Press

Hall of Fame Greco-Roman wrestler Frank Andersson of Sweden, a 1984 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time world champion, passed away on Sunday after complications from heart surgery. He was 62.

Andersson was born in Trollhatten, Sweden, in May 1956. He competed mostly in Greco-Roman, but also had success in freestyle. Andersson represented Sweden at three Olympic Games, competing at 90kg. At the Montreal Games in 1976, he placed fifth in Greco, and seventh in the freestyle competition. In 1980, Andersson placed fourth in Greco at the Moscow Games. In his final Olympic competition, Andersson eared a bronze medal in 1984 at the Los Angeles Games. 

In addition to his Olympic medals, Andersson won five world medals, including world gold medals in 1977, 1979 and 1982. He was a world silver medalist in 1978 and 1981. He was also very successful at the European Championships, claiming gold medals in 1976, 1978, 1979, and 1981, and silver medals in 1977, 1980, and 1982.

Following his amateur wrestling career, Andersson embarked on a professional wrestling career, then starred in several TV shows. 

In 2006, Andersson was welcomed into the World Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame.
 

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UWW President Lalovic re-elected as IOC member

By United World Wrestling Press

MUMBAI, India (October 16) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC has been re-elected as an International Olympic Committee member at its 141st session in Mumbai, India on Monday.

Lalovic, also a member of the IOC Executive Board, was first elected as an IOC member in 2015 for an eight-year term. He was re-elected unanimously for a new eight-year term.

As an IOC EB member, Lalovic was first elected in 2018 and then re-elected in 2022 in Beijing for a four-year term. He also serves on the WADA Executive Committee and the ASOIF Council.

"It's a privilege to be part of the IOC," Lalovic said. "I am humbled by the continuous support of the IOC members. I will continue to work towards the success of the Olympic Movement."

The 65-year-old was the first wrestling president to be elected as an IOC member in 2015, two years after being elected as the president of UWW in February 2013. He worked to keep wrestling in the Olympic program, rebranding and modernizing the sport and is also credited for bringing transparency and accountability to the workings of the federation.

"Representing our wrestling family in the IOC and Olympic Movement is also a great honor," he said. "It's a sport that teaches a lot to everyone involved and it only makes me confident that I will use those values to work towards a better delivery of my position in the Olympic Movement."