Juan Antonio Samaranch Torelló, 1st Marquess of Samaranch (17 July 1920 – 21 April 2010) was a Spanish sports official who served as the seventh President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 1980 to 2001.
Portrait: Samaranch: A great leader, a man who cared
The image I would like to use for this post.
The Olympic Hymn, also known informally as the Olympic Anthem, is a choral cantata by opera composer Spyridon Samaras, on lyrics by Greek poet Kostis Palamas. Both poet and composer were the choice of Demetrius Vikelas, a great Greek Pro-European and the first President of the International Olympic Committee.
Lyrics English sung version
Olympian flame immortal
Whose beacon lights our way
Emblaze our hearts with the fires of hope
On this momentous day
As now we come across the world
To share these Games of old
Let all the flags of every land
In brotherhood unfold
Sing out each nation, voices strong
Rise up in harmony
All hail our brave Olympians
With strains of victory
Olympic light burn on and on
O’er seas and mountains and plains
Unite, inspire, bring honor
To these ascending games
May valor reign victorious
Along the path of golden way
As tomorrow’s new champions now come forth
Rising to the fervent spirit of the game
Let splendour pervade each noble deed
Crowned with glory and fame
And let fraternity and fellowship
Surround the soul of every nation
Oh flame, eternal in your firmament so bright
Illuminate us with your everlasting light
That grace and beauty and magnificence
Shine like the sun
Blazing above
Bestow on us your honor, truth and love
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Hymn
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Samaranch, The man who stole the Olympics’ innocence
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article7104241.ece