Home > Sigfrid Edström

Born in the tiny village of Morlanda, Edström studied at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg and later in Switzerland and the United States. In his youth, he was also a top sprinter, capable of finishing the 100 m in 11 seconds. He was director of the electrotechnical company ASEA from 1903 to 1933, and president of the board from 1934 until 1939.

In the meanwhile, Edström had become involved in Swedish sports administration, and had helped organise the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm. During those Olympics, the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) was established, and Edström was elected its first president, which he remained until 1946.

He became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1920, and after a position in the Executive Committee, he became vice-president in 1931. When IOC president Henri de Baillet-LatourBelgian Count Henri de Baillet-Latour ( March 1, 1876- January 6, 1942) was the third president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). De Baillet-Latour became a member of the IOC in 1903, later also co-founding the Belgian Olympic Committee. He wa died in 1942, Edström was the acting president until the end of World War IIWorld War II was the most extensive and costly armed conflict in the history of the world, involving the great majority of the world's nations, being fought simultaneously in several major theatres, and costing tens of millions of lives. The war was fough, when he was formally elected president. He played an important role in reviving the Olympic Movement after the war. In 1952, he retired from his position in and was succeeded by Avery BrundageAvery Brundage ( September 28, 1887 May 8, 1975) was an American athlete, sports official, art collector and philanthropist. Born in Detroit, Brundage studied civil engineering at the University of Illinois, graduating in 1909. A few years later, he found.