Thursday, 21 November 2024

Avery Brundage

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2024
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Olympics
Statistics: Member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame
A pentathlete and decathlete at the 1912 Olympics, Avery Brundage went into sports administration, becoming the president of the United States Olympic Committee in 1928. Brundage became a polarizing fixture, but more so a powerful one, especially as the U.S. became the top Olympic power, rivaled only by the Soviet Union.

Brundage became the IOC's first vice president in 1946, and in 1952, he became the fifth president of the IOC and the first American to hold that post. He would hold this position until the end of the 1972 Olympics, a 20-year period that may have had hiccups but growth.

Brundage was a complicated figure and controversial in some circles. He was criticized early for not considering any boycott in 1936 when the Olympics were held in 1936, and he was steadfast in his belief that the Games needed to go on in 1972, despite the tragedy of 11 Israeli athletes killed by Palestinian terrorists. His stance on protecting amateurism is also considered archaic today, and he was harsh on his treatment of Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who raised their fist in protest on the medal podium.

Despite all criticism, Brundage was dedicated to the Olympic Games and fought for what he believed in, which primarily was an Olympics devoid of politics and protection of amateur sports.

We are proud to nominate Avery Brundage for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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