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Grevemberg to Leave Role as Commonwealth Games CEO

Wednesday, February 10, 2021 - 15:02 By United World Wrestling Press

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David Grevemberg is stepping down as chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the organization has announced.

Grevemberg has held the role since November 2014 following a spell at the helm of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and is set to leave his GGF role on March 5.

In 2015, Grevemberg oversaw the development and launch of the organization's strategic plan entitled Transformation 2022.

Grevemberg said it had been "a privilege" to work within the Commonwealth Sport Movement for more than a decade and he was "proud" of the work he had achieved during his tenure.

"I am enormously proud of the work that we have achieved and continue to drive through our strategy, Transformation 2022, which has always been delivered in ambitious partnership with our team, our leadership and our passionate global network of members and Commonwealth athletes," said Grevemberg. 

“Grevemberg has had a positive impact on the Commonwealth Games during his time as CEO and will leave the federation in a place to succeed for many years to come. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” said UWW president Nenad Lalovic.

Grevemberg, a former wrestler was the Executive Director of The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) prior to becoming CEO of the Commonwealth Games.

Obituary

Olympic champion Varga dies aged 84

Monday, January 9, 2023 - 06:35 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (January 16) — Olympic and world champion Janos VARGA died last month in Budapest, Hungary at the age of 84.

The Hungarian wrestling legend was a two-time world champion, two-time European champion and a retired army colonel

Varga was born on October 21, 1939 in Abony, where he learned the basics of the sport and then completed his unparalleled career in the Budapest Honvéd Armed Forces.

On the mat, he was characterized by enormous self-discipline, endurance and extraordinary physique, and won a total of ten world competition medals, including five gold.

He is one of the six Hungarian wrestlers who can call himself an Olympic, World Championships and European Championship winner.

Considered among the best in both Greco-Roman and freestyle, he won his first world championship title with a broken rib in 1963, after winning silver and bronze in freestyle in 1961 and 1962 respectively.

He won silver at the 1967 World Championships at 57kg and climbed to the top of the podium at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City alongside his best friend Istvan Kozma.

His second World Championships gold medal came in 1970 as he won the 57kg weight class in Edmonton, Canada. He finished his career with bronze at the 1971 World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

After his sport career, Varga did not turn his back to the mat, working as the head coach of the Budapest Honvéd and the junior national team. In addition, he also acted as an international referee.

Varga’s death was mourned by Ministry of National Defense, the Hungarian National Guard, the Hungarian Olympic Committee, the Hungarian Wrestling Federation and his hometown, Abony, and his funeral was held with military honors.