It is with great sadness that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has learned of the death of Fidel Mendoza Carrasquilla, at the age of 89.
An IOC Member from 1988 to 2006, and Honorary Member since 2006, Fidel Mendoza Carrasquilla sat on the IOC Medical Commission (1990-2006) and the International Olympic Academy Commission (1989-1990). He also occupied numerous positions within the South American sports movement, including that of President of the Colombian National Olympic Committee (1979-1989); Treasurer of the Pan-American Sports Organisation (PASO) (1983-1992); and Secretary General and Treasurer of the Bolivarian Sports Organisation (ODEBO); and he headed Colombian sports delegations on multiple occasions. He was also one of the pioneers of baseball in South America, as he founded the Bogota Baseball League in 1969 and was its President until 1979.
An IOC Member from 1988 to 2006, and Honorary Member since 2006, Fidel Mendoza Carrasquilla sat on the IOC Medical Commission (1990-2006) and the International Olympic Academy Commission (1989-1990). He also occupied numerous positions within the South American sports movement, including that of President of the Colombian National Olympic Committee (1979-1989); Treasurer of the Pan-American Sports Organisation (PASO) (1983-1992); and Secretary General and Treasurer of the Bolivarian Sports Organisation (ODEBO); and he headed Colombian sports delegations on multiple occasions. He was also one of the pioneers of baseball in South America, as he founded the Bogota Baseball League in 1969 and was its President until 1979.
In parallel to his many commitments in sports administration, he obtained a doctorate in medicine and surgery at the National University of Bogota (1953), before specialising in internal medicine and joining the Colombian Institute of Social Security. He was also an Air Force physician for 26 years. In addition, he placed his medical skills at the service of sport as team doctor for various Colombian delegations. In his free time, he practised baseball and softball.
“Fidel Mendoza Carrasquilla was a pioneer and a fervent campaigner for sport in his home country of Colombia and throughout South America. He understood the power of sport to change people’s lives and he worked tirelessly to bring its values across South America. As an IOC member he brought his considerable medical knowledge to the organisation sitting on the Medical Commission for 16 years. He was a great man and a great servant of sport who gave his time and energy to the Olympic Movement. His warm and friendly personality was highly appreciated by all the IOC members. He will be sadly missed by us all,” declared IOC President Thomas Bach.
The IOC expresses its deepest sympathy to the family of Fidel Mendoza Carrasquilla.
“Fidel Mendoza Carrasquilla was a pioneer and a fervent campaigner for sport in his home country of Colombia and throughout South America. He understood the power of sport to change people’s lives and he worked tirelessly to bring its values across South America. As an IOC member he brought his considerable medical knowledge to the organisation sitting on the Medical Commission for 16 years. He was a great man and a great servant of sport who gave his time and energy to the Olympic Movement. His warm and friendly personality was highly appreciated by all the IOC members. He will be sadly missed by us all,” declared IOC President Thomas Bach.
The IOC expresses its deepest sympathy to the family of Fidel Mendoza Carrasquilla.
By: Editor
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