Honorary President of the Russian Olympic Committee

Member of the International Olympic Committee

Born February 14, 1935 in Khabarovsk. Mr. Smirnov is a member of the International Olympic Committee, President of Honour of the Olympic Committee of Russia, a Full Member of the Academy of Creative Endeavours, president of the Association of the CIS National Olympic Committees, and a member of the Journalist Union of Russia. He has a higher education. In 1958 he graduated from the State Central Institute of Physical Culture. He was an instructor, head of the department of physical culture and sports, Second Secretary, and then First Secretary of Moscow Komsomol Committee (1958-1968). He was First Secretary of Pushkinsky City Committee of the Party (1968-70), deputy, then first deputy of the chairman of the USSR Sports Committee (1970-75), and chairman of the USSR Water Polo Federation (1962-72). Mr. Smirnov was deputy chairman of the 1980 Olympiad Organizing Committee (1975-81), chairman of the State Committee of Physical Culture and Sports of RSFSR (1981-90), chairman of the USSR Olympic Committee (1990-92), the Olympic Committee of Russia (1992-2001), member of the International Olympic Committee (since 1971). In the IOC, Vitaly Smirnov was twice elected a member of its Executive Committee (1974-78 and 1986-90). He also served as vice-president of IOC (1978-82, 1990-94, 2001-05), chairman of the IOC Admission Commission (1992-98) and as part of the Olympic Program Commission (1983-91). He is President of Honour of the Olympic Committee of Russia (since 2001). Mr. Smirnov is a holder of several awards, such as Badge of Honour order (1966, 1970, 1976), Friendship of Nations (1980), Red Banner of Labour (1985), Honour (1994), For Merits Before Fatherland, Degree III (1966) and Degree II (2001). In addition, he has received several awards and prizes from foreign governments and international sports organizations. Mr. Smirnov is married and is fond of tennis and hunting.