(1887 – 1975) Arguably the most powerful figure in the history of the modern Olympic Games.

During his tenure as chairperson of the American Olympic Committee (1930–52), and vice-president (1945–52) and president of the International Olympic Committee (1952– 72), Brundage proved a vigorous proponent of amateurism in Olympic sport. Although he regarded both professionalism and politics as inimical to the Olympic spirit, his application of these principles was often selective. Following the 1936 Berlin Games, his praise for Nazi Germany drew considerable criticism. Also, during the Cold War, he overlooked the conflict between amateurism and the state subsidy of communist-bloc athletes.