At the age of 89, Lambis Nikolaou, former President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and Member of the International Olympic Committee in Greece, passed away. He was one of the most prominent figures in Greek sport and the Olympic Movement, playing a decisive role in elevating Greece’s standing on the international athletic stage.

On behalf of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Plenary Session, the current President Isidoros Kouvelos, speaking from Los Angeles, paid tribute to the former President with the following statement:

“Lambis Nikolaou was one of the most important figures of the Greek and international Olympic Movement. As President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, he devoted his life to the defense and promotion of the Olympic values, both within Greece and abroad.
For all of us who had the privilege to work with him, we know firsthand his tireless efforts to strengthen Greece’s presence within the global Olympic family. His leadership left an indelible mark on the course of the HOC and on Greek sport as a whole.

His passing fills the entire Greek Olympic family with sorrow. Yet his legacy will continue to live on and illuminate new paths. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and to all who loved and worked alongside him.”

Who was Lambis Nikolaou

Lambis Nikolaou was born on 23 November 1935 in Athens and studied civil engineering at the Technical University of Munich. He worked as a public works contractor and served as General Director of EDOK–ETER from 1977 to 1982. Under his supervision, both the Olympic Stadium of Athens (OAKA) and the Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF) were completed.

He served as President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee for 14 years (1985–1992; 1997–2004) and as Vice-President of the Organizing Committee for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. He played an active role in the preparation of the Games, contributing his experience and guidance to the organization of the largest sporting event ever hosted in Greece. During his presidency, the new Conference Center of the International Olympic Academy in Ancient Olympia was completed, as well as the headquarters of the Hellenic Olympic Committee in Halandri.

Nikolaou was also a Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), representing Greece with consistency, integrity, and distinction at the highest levels of the Olympic family. He served as an IOC Member from 1986 to 2015 and became an Honorary Member in 2016. He was a Member of the IOC Executive Board (2001–2005) and Vice-President of the IOC (2005–2009). He also chaired the IOC Commission on Culture and Olympic Education (2010–2015) and later the Commission on Culture and Olympic Heritage (2015–2016).

In addition, he was a Member of the Executive Committee of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) (1989–1993, 1997–2009), as well as a Member (from 1989) and Vice-President (2001–2004) of the Board of the International Olympic Academy.