16 Oct 2018

Present at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games, esteemed throughout the sporting world, Patrick Baumann, President of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), as well as being a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) passed away on Sunday 13th October.

Only 51 years old he suffered a heart attack; he received immediate medical attention but could not be resuscitated.

by Ian Marshall, Editor

Born in Basel, Switzerland Saturday 5th August 1967, Patrick Baumann played basketball in Italy, later becoming a referee, whilst also organising tournaments and coaching sessions. He became Secretary-General of the World Basketball Federation (FIBA) on Wednesday 1st January 2003.

However, it is as an inspirational leader that Patrick Baumann became best known.

Elected President of GAISF, he led in a positive manner, changing the direction of the organisation in order to meet the needs of fast changing modern day wold.

A member of various IOC Commissions, Patrick Baumann was a member of the IOC Evaluation Commissions for the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2020, a member of the Co-ordination Commission for the Olympic Games in 2012. Also, he was Chair of the Evaluation Commission and Vice-Chair of the Co-ordination Commission for the Olympic Games to be held in 2024. Additionally, he was President of the IOC Co-ordination Commission for the Winter Youth Olympic Games to be staged in 2020; more recently being appointed Chair of the Co-ordination Commission for the Olympic Games in 2028.

Dedicated to driving sport forward, he was appointed to the International Advisory Board of the World Academy of Sport in 2009; from 2010, he was a member of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS). One year later in 2010 he was elected as a Council member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and re-elected in 2015. Additionally, he was as a member of the Executive Committee and the Foundation Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

An administrator of the highest standing, he was admired throughout the sporting world and was highly respected by Thomas Weikert, ITTF President. He expressed his condolences to Thomas Bach, IOC President.

“It is with a heavy heart that I write to you with our deepest condolences for the passing of our dear friend Patrick Baumann. Patrick was not only a legend in the basketball world but a legend in global sport and an inspiration to all of us. The way that Patrick led FIBA by example with his passion and dedication has been an inspiration to myself and everyone at the ITTF and something that we will always carry with us.

The lasting legacy he left on the Olympic Movement as an IOC Member and more recently President of the GAISF, will never be forgotten and the entire sporting world has changed forever for the better due to Patrick’s charismatic leadership. All of us at the ITTF will honour his memory and keep on moving the sport forward for the betterment of the Olympic Movement to make him proud.” Thomas Weikert

Patrick Baumann leaves a wife and two children; the thoughts of the International Table Tennis Federation are with his family at this sad time.

 

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