Léon Bouffard
Encyclopedia
Léon Bouffard in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
– July 23, 1981 in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
) was a Swiss athlete and sports administrator. As an athlete, he competed in pole vault
Pole vault
Pole vaulting is a track and field event in which a person uses a long, flexible pole as an aid to leap over a bar. Pole jumping competitions were known to the ancient Greeks, as well as the Cretans and Celts...
, winning the Swiss championship in 1914. He was the founder (in 1929) and president of the Swiss Basketball Federation. He co-founded FIBA
International Basketball Federation
The International Basketball Federation, more commonly known as FIBA , from its French name Fédération Internationale de Basketball, is an association of national organizations which governs international competition in basketball...
in 1932 and served as FIBA's president from 1932 to 1948. He organized 1st European Basketball Championship
Eurobasket 1935
The 1935 European Basketball Championship, commonly called Eurobasket 1935, was the first Eurobasket regional championship held by FIBA Europe as well as a test event preceding the first Olympic basketball tournament at the 1936 Summer Olympics. Ten national teams affiliated with the International...
in 1935 and 4th European Basketball Championship
Eurobasket 1946
The 1946 European Basketball Championship, commonly called Eurobasket 1946, was the fourth Eurobasket regional championship held by FIBA Europe and the first since 1939 due to World War II. Ten national teams affiliated with the International Basketball Federation took part in the competition...
in 1946, both in Geneva. Since 1948 he served as the Honorary President of FIBA. In 2007, he was enshrined as a contributor into the FIBA Hall of Fame
FIBA Hall of Fame
FIBA Hall of Fame honors basketball players, coaches and administrators who have contributed to international competitive basketball. It was established by FIBA in 1991. It includes the "Samaranch Library", the biggest basketball library in the world that, as of 2007, has over 10,000 basketball...
.