Estonian Olympic Committee

Estonian Olympic Committee

Estonian Olympic Committee logo
Country/Region	Estonia
Code	EST
Created	8 December 1923
Recognized	1924 (restored: 18 September 1991)
Continental Association	EOC
Headquarters	Tallinn, Estonia
President	Mart Siimann
Secretary General	Toomas Tõnise
Website	http://www.eok.ee

File:Eesti Olümpiakomitee lipp.jpg

Flag of Estonian Olympic Committee

The Estonian Olympic Committee (Estonian: Eesti Olümpiakomitee) (EOK) is responsible for the Estonia's participation in the Olympic Games.

History

The Estonian Sports Federation (Estonian: Eesti Spordi Liit) decided to form the Estonian Olympic Committee in the First Estonian Sport Congress (Estonian: Eesti I Spordikongress) on 30 November 1919, one and a half years after the proclamation of the independence of Estonia, but it was officially founded on 8 December 1923. The first chairman of the committee dr. Karl Friedrich Akel, was elected on 5 May 1924. An independent Estonian team took part in the Olympic Games over the period of 1920–36. After the nation was invaded by the Soviet Union in 1940, Estonian athletes competed at the Olympic Games as part of the USSR delegations.

The NOC was renewed on 14 January 1989 when the Estonian Olympic Sports Conference passed the following resolution: "to resume the activity of the Estonian Olympic Committee founded in 1923". The continuity concept became the foundation of the activity of the restored Estonian Olympic Committee since, although it could not act 'de facto' for 50 years, it never ceased its activity 'de jure'. On the same day, the first members of the renewed NOC were elected, Arnold Green and Atko Viru. On 20 August 1991 the independence of the Republic of Estonia was proclaimed and by decision of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee, at the board session in Berlin on 18 September 1991, the EOK was reintegrated into the Olympic Movement on 11 November 1991.

In 1992 the IOC delegation led by IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch visited Estonia. Delegation members included Vice President of the IOC and Russian Olympic Committee president – Vitali Smirnov, IOC and Swedish Olympic Committee member – Gunnar Ericsson, President of the EOC – Jacques Rogge and Secretary General of the EOC and Italian National Olympic Committee – Mario Pescante.

The 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France was the first time since 1936 that the nation had competed as an independent nation at the Olympic Games.

On 11 November 2004, Mart Siimann and Toomas Tõnise were re-elected respectively President and Secretary General of the Estonian Olympic Committee.

On 10 November 2008, Mart Siimann and Toomas Tõnise were re-elected respectively President and Secretary General of the Estonian Olympic Committee and Toomas Savi and Neinar Seli, Vice Presidents for next 4 years.

Structure

Members

As of 5 May 2008. Members of the Estonian Olympic Committee are:

• 97 legal persons under private law:
  • 64 National Sports Federations
  • 19 Regional Sports Associations
  • 14 All-Estonian Sports Associations
• 24 natural persons:

1. Mati Alaver, (EOK member since 1999) 2. Rein Haljand, (1989) 3. Jüri Jaanson 4. Eri Klas, (1989) 5. Sven Kolga, (1992) 6. Tõnu Laak, (1989) 7. Ants Laos, (1989) 8. Andres Lipstok, (1994) 9. Tõnu Lume, (1992) 10. Erki Nool 11. Tiit Nuudi, (1992) 12. Gunnar Paal, (1989) 13. Indrek Pertelson, (2000) 14. Cardo Remmel, (1999) 15. Erika Salumäe, (1997) 16. Toomas Savi, (1989) 17. Mart Siimann, (1999) 18. Kristina Šmigun 19. Jüri Tamm, (2000) 20. Jaan Talts, (1989) 21. Mart Tarmak, (1989) 22. Toomas Tõnise, (1992) 23. Jaak Uudmäe, (1989) 24. Andrus Veerpalu, (2000)

Former natural members

• Mikk Mikiver (1937–2006) (EOK member 1989–2006)
• Aado Slutsk (1918–2006) (EOK member 1989–2006)

Current NOC Leadership

As of 22 January 2009.

President

• Mart Siimann

Vice President

• Toomas Savi
• Neinar Seli

Secretary General

• Toomas Tõnise

Executive Committee

17 members incl. EOK President, 2 Vice Presidents and Secretary General.

• Mart Siimann – EOK President
• Toomas Savi – Vice President, President of Estonian Ski Association
• Neinar Seli – Vice President, President of the Estonian Olympic Academy, former President of the Estonian Athletics Association
• Toomas Tõnise – Secretary General
• Peep Aaviksoo – President of the Estonian Basketball Association
• Kaia Jäppinen – President of the Estonian Dance Sport Association
• Rein Kilk – President of the Estonian Rowing Association
• Oliver Kruuda – President of the Estonian Handball Association, Member of the Board of The Equestrian Federation of Estonia
• Jüri Käo – President of the Estonian Yachting Union
• Ilmar Kütt – President of the Viljandi County Sports Association
• Erki Nool – Member of the European Athletics Development Committee, Vice Chairman of the EOC Athletes Commission
• Ivari Padar – Honorary President of The Equestrian Federation of Estonia
• Vilja Savisaar – President of the Estonian Volleyball Federation
• Urmas Sõõrumaa – President of the Estonian Tennis Association
• Jüri Tamm – Vice President 2004–2008, founding member of the Estonian Sports Association
• Erich Teigamägi – President of the Estonian Athletics Federation
• Jaan Toots – President of the Estonian Cyclists Union

List of Presidents

• Karl Friedrich Akel (1924–1931) – EOK Chairman
• Johan Laidoner (1931–1934) – EOK Cochairman
• Johan Laidoner (1934–1940) – EOK Chairman
• Arnold Green (1989–1997) – EOK President
• Tiit Nuudi (1997–2001) – EOK President
• Mart Siimann (2001-2012) – EOK President
• Neinar Seli (2012–present)

IOC members

• Karl Friedrich Akel (1927–1932)
• Joakim Puhk (1936–1942)

Honorary members

• Arnold Green – Honorary president, former EOK member (1989–1999) and President of the EOK (1989–1997)
• Tiit Nuudi – Honorary president, former EOK member (1992– ) and President of the EOK (1997–2001)
• Ants Antson – Olympic champion 1964
• August Englas – sportwrestling world champion 1953 & 1954
• Viljar Loor – Olympic champion 1980
• Svetlana Tširkova-Lozovaja – Olympic champion 1968
• Aavo Pikkuus – Olympic champion 1976
• Mait Riisman – Olympic champion 1980
• Erika Salumäe – Olympic champion 1988 & 1992
• Oleg Sapožnin – former EOK member (1992–2001) and member of the Executive Committee
• Heino Sisask – former EOK member (1992–1999)
• Tiit Sokk – Olympic champion 1988
• Ivar Stukolkin – Olympic champion 1980
• Jaan Talts – Olympic champion 1972
• Jüri Tarmak – Olympic champion 1972
• Jaak Uudmäe – Olympic champion 1980
• Lembit Vahesaar – former EOK member (1992–2000)

Former honorary members

• Johannes Kotkas (1915–1998)
• Heino Lipp (1922–2006)
• Ruudi Toomsalu (1913–2002)
• Bruno Junk (1929–1995)
• Heino Lind (1931–2008) – former EOK member (1992–2001 ) and member of the Executive Committee

Other notable members

Juhan Aare 1992–1997, Are Eller 1992–1993, Peeter Mardna 1992–2001, Mati Mark 1992–2001, Even Tudeberg 2000–2001, Ants Veetõusme 1992–2001, Priit Vilba 1994–2000, Atko Viru 1989–2007

Former Executive Committee members

• 2004–2008 Peeter Kreitzberg – President of Estonian Sports Association Kalev
• 2004–2008 Kadri Liivak-Riisalo – Secretary General of Estonian Gymnastics Federation
• 2004–2008 Jaanus Otsa – former President of Estonian Tennis Association
• 2004–2008 Indrek Pertelson – former President of Estonian Judo Association
• 2004–2008 Villu Reiljan – President of Estonian Sports Association Jõud

See also

• Estonia at the Olympics

External links

• Estonian Olympic Committee Official Site
• IOC-s short information page of the NOC
• EOC-s short information page of the NOC
• EOC-s history page of the NOC
• Estonian Olympic Academy
• Old official site of the Estonian Olympic Committee