IOC

Lalovic to Join IOC Executive Board

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (February 7) – United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic has been elected to the IOC Executive Board (EB) as representative for the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), following a recent vote by the 28 Summer International Federations. The IOC Session confirmed the vote this morning in Pyeongchang.

Lalovic will become the first EB member from the sport of wrestling.

A businessman from Belgrade, the 59-year-old Lalovic has overseen several dramatic and popular changes to one of the Olympic Games’ oldest sports. Lalovic was named the president of United World Wrestling in February 2013 and appointed as a full member of the IOC in August of 2015.

"The Executive Board has tremendous responsibility to assist the Olympic movement," said Lalovic. “I'm humbled to be a member of the board and contribute to its many missions and goals. I take pride in this position as representing all Summer Sports on the EB and will be a strong advocate for all of them.”

The EB consists of the IOC President, four Vice-Presidents and ten other members. Among its many concerns the EB assumes the overall responsibility for the administration of the IOC, approves the IOC's internal organization and is responsible for the management of the IOC's finances and prepares an annual report. The EB also conducts the procedure for acceptance and selection of candidatures for the organization of the Olympic Games and establishes the agenda for the IOC Sessions.

Click Here to learn more about the IOC Executive Board. (
https://www.olympic.org/executive-board)

Obituary

Japan legend Hanahara passes away at 84

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 9) -- United World Wrestling and the Japanese Wrestling Federation, with heavy hearts, announce the passing of Mr. Tsutomu HANAHARA, a revered Olympic champion who etched his name in history through his extraordinary feats in the realm of Greco-Roman wrestling.

Mr. Hanahara, at the age of 84, passed away February 5th, 2024, at approximately 23:00, succumbing to illness.

Mr. Hanahara's crowning achievement came at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, where he captured the hearts of a nation by defeating Angel KERESOV (BUL), clinching the 52kg Greco-Roman gold medal.

Following his career on the mat, Mr. Hanahara continued to shape the landscape of Greco-Roman wrestling in Japan, assuming the role as Chairman of the Strengthening Committee of the Japanese Wrestling Federation. His leadership was instrumental in propelling the Japanese wrestling team to new heights, notably steering them at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

As a coach, Mr. Hanahara led his alma mater, Nippon Sports Science University, to 18 consecutive East Japan Student League Championships, spanning from 1979 to 1996.

Mr. Hanahara's passion for wrestling carried over to his son and grandson. His son, Daisuke HANAHARA (JPN), finished in 11th place at the 1992 Olympic Games, where he competed in the 57kg Greco-Roman bracket. Furthermore, his grandson, Hiroto HANAHARA (JPN), clinched a 57kg freestyle bronze medal at the 2023 U15 Asian Championships.

UWW and the Japan Wrestling Federation mourn the passing Mr. Hanahara and express our deepest sympathies to the Hanahara family.