Obituary

Olympic champ Ogan passes away at 89

Friday, April 29, 2022 - 12:07 By United World Wrestling Press

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COSIER-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 29) --- İsmail OGAN (TUR), the two-time Olympic medalist and 1964 Tokyo Olympic champion, passed away earlier this week. He was 89 years old.

Ogan was born on March 5, 1933, in the Macun Village, Aksu District of Antalya, Turkey. He began his storied wrestling career in 1950 under the tutelage of trainers Yaşar DOGU (TUR) and Celal ATIK (TUR).

Olgan quickly made a name for himself in the wrestling world, winning three world medals and gold and silver medals at the Olympic Games. He started his impressive international career with a silver-medal finish at the 1957 Istanbul World Championships. Two years later, he won a second medal on the world stage, claiming bronze at the 1959 Tehran World Championships.

A year later, Olgan won a silver medal at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games after falling to American Douglas BLUGAUGH in the 73kg finals. But Olgan saved his most impressive performance for the final competition of his career, the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. He defeated two-time world champion Guliko SAGARADZE (USSR) and improved his Rome Olympic silver to a Tokyo Olympic gold.

After retiring from wrestling following the 1964 Games, Olgan continued to give back to the wrestling community by coaching young Turkish athletes.

Obituary

Former UWW Counsel, IOC Director-General François Carrard Dies Aged 83

Monday, January 10, 2022 - 14:59 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (January 10) -- Long-time International Olympic Committee Director-General and former United World Wrestling counsel François Carrard passed away Sunday at the age of 83.

UWW President Nenad LALOVIC expressed his deep sympathies with Carrard's family and said that the international federation is thankful for François Carrard's association.

"François Carrard was at the service of wrestling since we called upon him," Lalovic said. "He’s been instrumental in helping save wrestling on the Olympic Programme and continued to support the years after with his expertise within the law and international sport."

Apart from assisting UWW in many battles over the years, Mr. Carrard was also involved in helping the organization regain its spot in the Olympic Programme by advising on necessary reforms. It was his expertise in the field of Olympics and sports law that he introduced new statutes and modern governance principles.

Given his involvement in the sport, the Doctor of Law from the University of Lausanne visited the wrestling family on various occasions during the World Championships.

Apart from wrestling, Mr. Carrard, who entered the bar in 1967, led the IOC  administration from 1989 until 2003 and played a crucial role during the 1999-2000 IOC reforms. He was also appointed as the spokesperson of the IOC Executive Board.

In addition, his contribution in setting up the World Anti-Doping Agency and the introduction of the first WADA Code are well known besides being involved in revamping the Olympic Charter and in the IOC Commission on Apartheid and Olympism.

On behalf of the wrestling community, we thank Maitre François Carrard for his friendship and support of our sport.