Estonian Olympic Committee

Infobox National Olympic Committee
title = Estonian Olympic Committee

country = Estonia
code = EST
created = December 8,1923
recognized = 1924 (restored: September 18, 1991)
association = EOC
headquarters = Tallinn, Estonia
president = Mart Siimann
secretary general = Toomas Tõnise
website = http://www.eok.ee

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

History

The Estonian Sports Federation ( _et. Eesti Spordi Liit) decided to form Estonian Olympic Committee in the First Estonian Sport Congress ( _et. 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.

NOC was renewed on 14 January 1989, 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 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 [cite book | last= Slutsk |first= Aado | title= Albertville ja nüüd Barcelona|publisher= Eesti Olümpiainfo | location= Tallinn|language=Estonian |year=1992 | isbn= | pages=11-12] .

1992 the IOC delegation leaded by IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch visited Estonia. Delegation members were also Vice President of the IOC and Russian Olympic Commitee 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 Olympic Committee - Mario Pescante [cite book | last= Slutsk |first= Aado | title= Albertville ja nüüd Barcelona|publisher= Eesti Olümpiainfo | location= Tallinn|language=Estonian |year=1992 | isbn= | pages=19] .

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

tructure

;Members"As of May 5, 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 Jaanson4. 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 Nool11. 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 February 28, 2008."; President
* Mart Siimann; Vice President
* Andres Lipstok
* Jüri Tamm; Secretary General
* Toomas Tõnise; Executive Committee [ [http://www.eok.ee/organisatsioon/taitevkomitee EOK Executive Committee] ]
* Peep Aaviksoo - President of Estonian Basketball Association
* Rein Kilk - President of Estonian Rowing Association
* Peeter Kreitzberg - President of Estonian Sports Association Kalev
* Oliver Kruuda - President of Estonian Handball Association, Member of the Board of The Equestrian Federation of Estonia
* Ilmar Kütt - President of Viljandi County Sports Association
* Kadri Liivak-Riisalo - Secretary General of Estonian Gymnastics Federation
* Jaanus Otsa - former President of Estonian Tennis Association
* Ivari Padar - Honorary President of The Equestrian Federation of Estonia
* Indrek Pertelson - former President of Estonian Judo Association
* Villu Reiljan - President of Estonian Sports Association Jõud
* Toomas Savi - President of Estonian Ski Association
* Neinar Seli - President of Estonian Olympic Academy, former President of Estonian Athletics Association
* Urmas Sõõrumaa - President of Estonian Tennis Association

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 – present) - EOK President

=IOC members=

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

Honorary members

* Arnold Green - Honorary president, former EOK member (1989- ) and President of the EOK (1989-1997) [ [http://www.eok.ee/organisatsioon/auliikmed EOK honorary members] ]
* 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
* Heino Lind - former EOK member (1992- ) and member of the Executive Committee
* Viljar Loor - Olympic champion 1980
* Svetlana Lozovaja (Tširkova) - 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- ) 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 [ [http://arhiiv2.postimees.ee:8080/leht/96/10/23/sport.htm#esimene EOK members as october 1996] ]
* Johannes Kotkas (1915-1998)
* Heino Lipp (1922-2006)
* Ruudi Toomsalu (1913-2002)
* Bruno Junk (1929-1995)

;Other notable members [ [http://www.eok.ee/est/olympialiikumine/olympialiikumine_eestis/eok_liikmed_alates_1989?sess_admin= EOK members since 1989] ]
Juhan Aare 1992 - 1997, Are Eller 1992 - 1993, Peeter Mardna (1992- ), Mati Mark 1992 - , Even Tudeberg 2000- , Ants Veetõusme 1992- , Priit Vilba 1994 - 2000, Atko-Meeme Viru 1989-2007

ee also

*Estonia at the Olympics

References

External links

* [http://www.eok.ee Estonian Olympic Committee Official Site]
* [http://www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/noc/noc_uk.asp?noc_initials=EST IOC-s short information page of the NOC]
* [http://www.eurolympic.org/jahia/Jahia/pid/336 EOC-s short information page of the NOC]
* [http://www.eurolympic.org/jahia/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/337 EOC-s history page of the NOC]
* [http://www.eoa.org.ee/en/frontpage/front.html Estonian Olympic Academy]
* [http://www.online.ee/~eok/committee.html Old official site of the Estonian Olympic Committee]