Estonian Olympic Committee


The Estonian Olympic Committee is responsible for the Estonia's participation in the Olympic Games.

History

The Estonian Sports Federation decided to form the Estonian Olympic Committee in the First Estonian Sport Congress 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 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. In the Games between, the Estonian athletes competed under the flag of the Soviet Union.

Structure

;Members
As of 15th of April 2016.
Members of the Estonian Olympic Committee are:
Mati Alaver,
Jüri Jaanson
Gerd Kanter
Tõnu Laak,
Andres Lipstok,
Erki Nool
Neinar Seli
Tiit Nuudi,
Gunnar Paal,
Indrek Pertelson,
Cardo Remmel,
Erika Salumäe,
Mart Siimann,
Kristina Šmigun
Jaan Talts,
Mart Tarmak,
Toomas Tõnise,
Jaak Uudmäe,
Andrus Veerpalu,
;Former natural members
As of 15th of April 2016.
; President
; Vice President
; Secretary General
; Executive Committee
17 members incl. EOK President, 2 Vice Presidents and Secretary General.
; Former honorary members
;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