Estonian Olympic Committee
Encyclopedia
The Estonian Olympic Committee (EOK) is responsible for the Estonia
's participation in the Olympic Games
.
was elected on 5 May 1924. An independent Estonian team
took part in the Olympic Games over the period of 1920–36. After the nation was invaded by the Soviet Union
in 1940, Estonian athletes competed at the Olympic Games as part of the USSR delegations.
NOC
was renewed on 14 January 1989, the Estonian Olympic Sports Conference passed the following resolution: "to resume the activity of the Estonian Olympic Committee founded in 1923". The continuity concept became the foundation of the activity of the restored Estonian Olympic Committee since, although it could not act 'de facto' for 50 years it never ceased its activity 'de jure'. Same day, first members of the renewed NOC were elected, Arnold Green and Atko Viru. On 20 August 1991 the independence of the Republic of Estonia was proclaimed and by decision of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee
, at the board session in Berlin
, on 18 September 1991 the EOK was reintegrated into the Olympic Movement on 11 November 1991.
1992 the IOC
delegation led by IOC president
Juan Antonio Samaranch
visited Estonia. Delegation members were also Vice President of the IOC
and Russian Olympic Committee president – Vitali Smirnov
, IOC
and Swedish Olympic Committee
member – Gunnar Ericsson
, President of the EOC
– Jacques Rogge
and Secretary General of the EOC
and Italian National Olympic Committee – Mario Pescante
.
1992 Winter Olympics
in Albertville
, France
was the first time since 1936, that the nation had competed as an independent nation at the Olympic Games.
On the 11 November 2004, Mart Siimann
and Toomas Tõnise were re-elected respectively President and Secretary General of the Estonian Olympic Committee.
On the 10 November 2008, Mart Siimann and Toomas Tõnise were re-elected respectively President and Secretary General of the Estonian Olympic Committee and Toomas Savi
and Neinar Seli, Vice Presidents for next 4 years.
As of May 5, 2008.
Members of the Estonian Olympic Committee are:
1. Mati Alaver, (EOK member since 1999)
2. Rein Haljand, (1989)
3. Jüri Jaanson
4. Eri Klas
, (1989)
5. Sven Kolga, (1992)
6. Tõnu Laak, (1989)
7. Ants Laos, (1989)
8. Andres Lipstok
, (1994)
9. Tõnu Lume, (1992)
10. Erki Nool
11. Tiit Nuudi, (1992)
12. Gunnar Paal, (1989)
13. Indrek Pertelson
, (2000)
14. Cardo Remmel, (1999)
15. Erika Salumäe
, (1997)
16. Toomas Savi
, (1989)
17. Mart Siimann
, (1999)
18. Kristina Šmigun
19. Jüri Tamm
, (2000)
20. Jaan Talts
, (1989)
21. Mart Tarmak, (1989)
22. Toomas Tõnise, (1992)
23. Jaak Uudmäe
, (1989)
24. Andrus Veerpalu
, (2000)
Former natural members
President
Vice President
Secretary General
Executive Committee
17 members incl. EOK President, 2 Vice Presidents and Secretary General.
Former honorary members
Other notable members
Juhan Aare
1992 – 1997, Are Eller 1992 – 1993, Peeter Mardna (1992– ), Mati Mark 1992 – , Even Tudeberg 2000– , Ants Veetõusme 1992– , Priit Vilba
1994 – 2000, Atko Viru 1989–2007
Former Executive Committee members
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
's participation in the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
.
History
The Estonian Sports Federation decided to form Estonian Olympic Committee in the First Estonian Sport Congress on 30 November 1919, one and a half years after the proclamation of the independence of Estonia, but it was officially founded on 8 December 1923. The first chairman of the committee dr. Karl Friedrich AkelFriedrich Akel
Friedrich Karl Akel was an Estonian diplomat and politician, a member of the International Olympic Committee., and Head of State of Estonia in 1924....
was elected on 5 May 1924. An independent Estonian team
Estonia at the Olympics
After declaring independence from Russia in 1918, Estonia first competed as a nation at the 1920 Summer Olympics, although the National Olympic Committee was established in 1923. The first Winter Olympics were the 1924 Winter Olympics. Estonian athletes took part of the Olympic Games until the...
took part in the Olympic Games over the period of 1920–36. After the nation was invaded by the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in 1940, Estonian athletes competed at the Olympic Games as part of the USSR delegations.
NOC
National Olympic Committee
National Olympic Committees are the national constituents of the worldwide Olympic movement. Subject to the controls of the International Olympic Committee, they are responsible for organizing their people's participation in the Olympic Games...
was renewed on 14 January 1989, the Estonian Olympic Sports Conference passed the following resolution: "to resume the activity of the Estonian Olympic Committee founded in 1923". The continuity concept became the foundation of the activity of the restored Estonian Olympic Committee since, although it could not act 'de facto' for 50 years it never ceased its activity 'de jure'. Same day, first members of the renewed NOC were elected, Arnold Green and Atko Viru. On 20 August 1991 the independence of the Republic of Estonia was proclaimed and by decision of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
, at the board session in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, on 18 September 1991 the EOK was reintegrated into the Olympic Movement on 11 November 1991.
1992 the IOC
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
delegation led by IOC president
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
Juan Antonio Samaranch
Juan Antonio Samaranch
Don Juan Antonio Samaranch y Torelló, 1st Marquis of Samaranch, Grandee of Spain , known in Catalan as Joan Antoni Samaranch i Torelló , was a Catalan Spanish sports administrator who served as the seventh President of the International Olympic Committee from 1980 to 2001...
visited Estonia. Delegation members were also Vice President of the IOC
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
and Russian Olympic Committee president – Vitali Smirnov
Vitali Smirnov
Vitali Smirnov is a Russian member of the International Olympic Committee. He has been a member since 1971.-Career:1970—1975 — First Vice-Minister of Sport of the USSR;1981—1990 — Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation...
, IOC
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
and Swedish Olympic Committee
Swedish Olympic Committee
The Swedish Olympic Committee is the Swedish National Olympic Committee . The Swedish Olympic Committee organize the Swedish participation in the Olympics, choose the participants and run the "Elitprogrammet".The committee has 35 Olympic national federations members and 12 by the IOC national...
member – Gunnar Ericsson
Gunnar Ericsson
Gunnar Lennart Vilhelm Ericsson is a Swedish businessman, sports official and Liberal Party politician. He was born in Stockholm....
, President of the EOC
European Olympic Committees
The European Olympic Committees is an organization based in Rome, Italy. Its European membership consists of 49 National Olympic Committees.- Member countries :...
– Jacques Rogge
Jacques Rogge
Jacques Rogge, Count Rogge , is a Belgian sports bureaucrat. He is the eighth and current President of the International Olympic Committee .-Life and career:...
and Secretary General of the EOC
European Olympic Committees
The European Olympic Committees is an organization based in Rome, Italy. Its European membership consists of 49 National Olympic Committees.- Member countries :...
and Italian National Olympic Committee – Mario Pescante
Mario Pescante
Mario Pescante is an Italian politician and entrepreneur. He is a vice president of the International Olympic Committee and president of Rome's bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.-Biography:...
.
1992 Winter Olympics
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
in Albertville
Albertville
Albertville is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.The town is best known for hosting the 1992 Winter Olympics.-Geography:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
was the first time since 1936, that the nation had competed as an independent nation at the Olympic Games.
On the 11 November 2004, Mart Siimann
Mart Siimann
Mart Siimann was the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1997 to 1999. Since 2001, he has been the president of the Estonian Olympic Committee....
and Toomas Tõnise were re-elected respectively President and Secretary General of the Estonian Olympic Committee.
On the 10 November 2008, Mart Siimann and Toomas Tõnise were re-elected respectively President and Secretary General of the Estonian Olympic Committee and Toomas Savi
Toomas Savi
Toomas Savi is an Estonian politician and in 2004-2009 was a Member of the European Parliament for the Estonian Reform Party, part of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party....
and Neinar Seli, Vice Presidents for next 4 years.
Structure
MembersAs of May 5, 2008.
Members of the Estonian Olympic Committee are:
- 97 legal persons under private law:
- 64 National Sports Federations
- 19 Regional Sports Associations
- 14 All-Estonian Sports Associations
- 24 natural persons:
1. Mati Alaver, (EOK member since 1999)
2. Rein Haljand, (1989)
3. Jüri Jaanson
Jüri Jaanson
Jüri Jaanson is the most successful Estonian rower of all time and the winner of five medals at Rowing World Championships. He became World Champion in Tasmania 1990 in the single sculls event. 14 years later, at age 38 he won an Olympic silver medal in the single sculls event at the 2004 Summer...
4. Eri Klas
Eri Klas
Eri Klas, is an Estonian conductor.Klas is of Jewish ancestry. Klas graduated as an opera and concert conductor in both Tallinn and Leningrad , beginning his conducting career at the Estonia Theatre in Tallinn and at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow...
, (1989)
5. Sven Kolga, (1992)
6. Tõnu Laak, (1989)
7. Ants Laos, (1989)
8. Andres Lipstok
Andres Lipstok
Andres Lipstok is the current chairman of the Bank of Estonia...
, (1994)
9. Tõnu Lume, (1992)
10. Erki Nool
Erki Nool
Erki Nool is an Estonian decathlete and politician.Nool is a winner of the gold medal for Decathlon in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Although Nool did not place first in any individual event, his total score was the highest...
11. Tiit Nuudi, (1992)
12. Gunnar Paal, (1989)
13. Indrek Pertelson
Indrek Pertelson
Indrek Pertelson is an Estonian judoka. At the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics he won bronze medals in the men's Heavyweight category. He was born in Tallinn.-References:*...
, (2000)
14. Cardo Remmel, (1999)
15. Erika Salumäe
Erika Salumäe
Erika Salumäe is an Estonian track bicycle racer who won the first Olympic gold medal for Estonia after the country regained its independence in 1991.She was born in Pärnu. She trained at VSS Kalev in Tallinn...
, (1997)
16. Toomas Savi
Toomas Savi
Toomas Savi is an Estonian politician and in 2004-2009 was a Member of the European Parliament for the Estonian Reform Party, part of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party....
, (1989)
17. Mart Siimann
Mart Siimann
Mart Siimann was the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1997 to 1999. Since 2001, he has been the president of the Estonian Olympic Committee....
, (1999)
18. Kristina Šmigun
Kristina Šmigun
Kristina Šmigun-Vähi is a former and so far most successful Estonian female cross-country skier. Her parents, Anatoli Šmigun and Rutt Rehemaa were both prominent Nordic skiers...
19. Jüri Tamm
Jüri Tamm
Jüri Tamm is a former Estonian hammer thrower. Representing USSR, he won a bronze medal in the 1980 and 1988 Summer Olympics and a silver medal at the 1987 World Championships in Athletics.-Athletic career:...
, (2000)
20. Jaan Talts
Jaan Talts
Jaan Talts is a former Estonian weightlifter and Olympic champion who competed for the Soviet Union.- Career :...
, (1989)
21. Mart Tarmak, (1989)
22. Toomas Tõnise, (1992)
23. Jaak Uudmäe
Jaak Uudmäe
Jaak Uudmäe is a retired Estonian triple jumper and long jumper, gold medalist at the 1980 Summer Olympics.In 1979 and 1980 Uudmäe was acknowledged as Estonia's Sportsman of the Year...
, (1989)
24. Andrus Veerpalu
Andrus Veerpalu
Andrus Veerpalu is a former and so far the most successful Estonian male cross country skier.On 17 February 2006 he won his second Winter Olympics gold medal , becoming the fourth Estonian to have won two Olympic gold medals Andrus Veerpalu (born 8 February 1971 in Pärnu) is a former and so far...
, (2000)
Former natural members
- Mikk MikiverMikk MikiverMikk Mikiver was a prominent Estonian stage and film actor and theater director....
(1937–2006) (EOK member 1989–2006) - Aado Slutsk (1918–2006) (EOK member 1989–2006)
Current NOC Leadership
As of January 22, 2009.President
- Mart SiimannMart SiimannMart Siimann was the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1997 to 1999. Since 2001, he has been the president of the Estonian Olympic Committee....
Vice President
- Toomas SaviToomas SaviToomas Savi is an Estonian politician and in 2004-2009 was a Member of the European Parliament for the Estonian Reform Party, part of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party....
- Neinar Seli
Secretary General
- Toomas Tõnise
Executive Committee
17 members incl. EOK President, 2 Vice Presidents and Secretary General.
- Mart Siimann – EOK President
- Toomas Savi – Vice President, President of Estonian Ski Association
- Neinar Seli – Vice President, President of the Estonian Olympic Academy, former President of the Estonian Athletics Association
- Toomas Tõnise – Secretary General
- Peep Aaviksoo – President of the Estonian Basketball Association
- Kaia Jäppinen – President of the Estonian Dance Sport Association
- Rein Kilk – President of the Estonian Rowing Association
- Oliver Kruuda – President of the Estonian Handball Association, Member of the Board of The Equestrian Federation of Estonia
- Jüri Käo – President of the Estonian Yachting Union
- Ilmar Kütt – President of the Viljandi County Sports Association
- Erki NoolErki NoolErki Nool is an Estonian decathlete and politician.Nool is a winner of the gold medal for Decathlon in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Although Nool did not place first in any individual event, his total score was the highest...
– Member of the European Athletics Development Committee, Vice Chairman of the EOCEuropean Olympic CommitteesThe European Olympic Committees is an organization based in Rome, Italy. Its European membership consists of 49 National Olympic Committees.- Member countries :...
Athletes Commission - Ivari PadarIvari PadarIvari Padar is an Estonian politician, former Minister of Finance and former chairman of the Estonian Social Democratic Party. He was Deputy Mayor of Võru from 1993 to 1994, Executive Chairman of the Võru Farmers Union from 1994 to 1995, and Assistant to the Chancellor at the Finance Ministry from...
– Honorary President of The Equestrian Federation of Estonia - Vilja SavisaarVilja SavisaarVilja Savisaar-Toomast is an Estonian politician belonging to the Estonian Centre Party, currently a Member of the European Parliament....
– President of the Estonian Volleyball Federation - Urmas Sõõrumaa – President of the Estonian Tennis Association
- Jüri TammJüri TammJüri Tamm is a former Estonian hammer thrower. Representing USSR, he won a bronze medal in the 1980 and 1988 Summer Olympics and a silver medal at the 1987 World Championships in Athletics.-Athletic career:...
– Vice President 2004–2008, founding member of the Estonian Sports Association - Erich Teigamägi – President of the Estonian Athletics Federation
- Jaan Toots – President of the Estonian Cyclists Union
List of Presidents
- Karl Friedrich AkelFriedrich AkelFriedrich Karl Akel was an Estonian diplomat and politician, a member of the International Olympic Committee., and Head of State of Estonia in 1924....
(1924–1931) – EOK Chairman - Johan LaidonerJohan LaidonerJohan Laidoner was a seminal figure of Estonian history between the world wars. His highest position was Commander-in-chief of the Estonian Army in 1918–1920, 1924–1925, and 1934–1940.-Education:Laidoner was born in Viiratsi , Governorate of Livonia, then part of the Russian Empire...
(1931–1934) – EOK Cochairman - Johan Laidoner (1934–1940) – EOK Chairman
- Arnold Green (1989–1997) – EOK President
- Tiit Nuudi (1997–2001) – EOK President
- Mart SiimannMart SiimannMart Siimann was the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1997 to 1999. Since 2001, he has been the president of the Estonian Olympic Committee....
(2001 – present) – EOK President
Honorary members
- Arnold Green – Honorary president, former EOK member (1989– ) and President of the EOK (1989–1997)
- Tiit Nuudi – Honorary president, former EOK member (1992– ) and President of the EOK (1997–2001)
- Ants AntsonAnts AntsonAnts Antson is a former Estonian speed skater who competed for the Soviet Union. He was born in Tallinn, Estonia.Ants Antson trained at the Kalev Voluntary Sports Society...
– Olympic champion 1964 - August EnglasAugust EnglasAugust Englas is an Estonian former wrestler who competed for the Soviet Union.Englas was born in Otepää.In the 1952 Summer Olympics, after defeating Adil Atan, Shirang Vithoba Jadav and Max Leichter and losses against Henry Wittenberg and Viking Palm he took fourth place.He won the gold medal at...
– sportwrestling world champion 1953 & 1954 - Viljar LoorViljar LoorViljar Loor was the most successful Estonian volleyball player. In the 1980 Summer Olympics he was part of the gold winning Soviet Union volleyball team...
– Olympic champion 1980 - Svetlana Tširkova-LozovajaSvetlana Tširkova-LozovajaSvetlana Tširkova is a former Soviet fencer, two times olympic champion in foil team competitions and fencing coach in Estonia....
– Olympic champion 1968 - Aavo Pikkuus – Olympic champion 1976
- Mait Riisman – Olympic champion 1980
- Erika SalumäeErika SalumäeErika Salumäe is an Estonian track bicycle racer who won the first Olympic gold medal for Estonia after the country regained its independence in 1991.She was born in Pärnu. She trained at VSS Kalev in Tallinn...
– Olympic champion 1988 & 1992 - Oleg Sapožnin – former EOK member (1992– ) and member of the Executive Committee
- Heino Sisask – former EOK member (1992–1999)
- Tiit SokkTiit SokkTiit Sokk is a retired Estonian professional basketball player who played mostly at the point guard position....
– Olympic champion 1988 - Ivar StukolkinIvar StukolkinIvar Stukolkin was an Estonian swimmer born on August 13, 1960 in Tallinn, Estonia. He is an Olympic champion in swimming.-Achievements:Besides two Olympic medals Stukolkin won a silver medal at the 1982 World Championships...
– Olympic champion 1980 - Jaan TaltsJaan TaltsJaan Talts is a former Estonian weightlifter and Olympic champion who competed for the Soviet Union.- Career :...
– Olympic champion 1972 - Jüri TarmakJüri TarmakJüri Tarmak is a former Estonian athlete who competed mainly in the high jump and competed for the Soviet Union. He trained at Dynamo in Leningrad and studied at the Leningrad State University....
– Olympic champion 1972 - Jaak UudmäeJaak UudmäeJaak Uudmäe is a retired Estonian triple jumper and long jumper, gold medalist at the 1980 Summer Olympics.In 1979 and 1980 Uudmäe was acknowledged as Estonia's Sportsman of the Year...
– Olympic champion 1980 - Lembit Vahesaar – former EOK member (1992–2000)
Former honorary members
- Johannes KotkasJohannes KotkasJohannes Kotkas was an Estonian amateur wrestler who won the gold medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics for the Soviet Union.Kotkas was born in Tartu. He won the gold medal at the 1938, 1939 and 1947 European Championship. At the 1953 World Championship Kotkas won the silver medal-External links:*...
(1915–1998) - Heino LippHeino LippHeino Lipp was an Estonian athlete, who was one of the greatest decathlete in the decade of the 1940s, but was never able to compete in the Olympic Games, because was never allowed to travel outside the Soviet Union dominated Iron Curtain countries...
(1922–2006) - Ruudi Toomsalu (1913–2002)
- Bruno JunkBruno JunkBruno Junk was an Estonian athlete who competed mainly in walking events. He trained in Moscow and later in Tallinn at Dynamo....
(1929–1995) - Heino Lind (1931–2008) – former EOK member (1992– ) and member of the Executive Committee
Other notable members
Juhan Aare
Juhan Aare
Juhan Aare is an Estonian journalist and politician, and the founder of the Estonian Green Movement . Since 3 December 2002 he is member of the People's Union of Estonia...
1992 – 1997, Are Eller 1992 – 1993, Peeter Mardna (1992– ), Mati Mark 1992 – , Even Tudeberg 2000– , Ants Veetõusme 1992– , Priit Vilba
Priit Vilba
Priit Vilba is an Estonian politician and businessman who was mayor of Tallinn for two weeks in 1996. In 2001, while deputy mayor of Tallinn, Vilba was accused of allocating city contracts to his son....
1994 – 2000, Atko Viru 1989–2007
Former Executive Committee members
- 2004–2008 Peeter KreitzbergPeeter KreitzbergPeeter Kreitzberg was an Estonian politician, member of parliament and a member of the Social Democratic Party. Kreitzberg served as the Estonian Minister of Education and Research from April to November 1995...
– President of Estonian Sports Association KalevEstonian Sports Association KalevEstonian Sports Association Kalev is a sports association in Estonia, founded in 1901. A 6 kroon, 50 senti postage stamp was issued to celebrate its centenary in 2001.... - 2004–2008 Kadri Liivak-Riisalo – Secretary General of Estonian Gymnastics Federation
- 2004–2008 Jaanus Otsa – former President of Estonian Tennis Association
- 2004–2008 Indrek PertelsonIndrek PertelsonIndrek Pertelson is an Estonian judoka. At the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics he won bronze medals in the men's Heavyweight category. He was born in Tallinn.-References:*...
– former President of Estonian Judo Association - 2004–2008 Villu Reiljan – President of Estonian Sports Association Jõud