Godefroy de Blonay facts for kids
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Godefroy Jean Henri Louis de Blonay (born July 25, 1869, in Niederschöntal, Switzerland; died February 14, 1937, in Biskra, French Algeria) was a very important early member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He helped shape the modern Olympic Games.
Godefroy de Blonay's Life
His Role in the Olympic Movement
Godefroy de Blonay became the first Swiss member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1899. He served on the committee for 38 years until his death in 1937. He was the 24th person to join the committee since it started in 1884. Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, was the very first member.
In 1912, de Blonay helped create the Swiss Olympic Association. He was also its first president, serving from 1912 to 1915.
Baron de Blonay was once a very close friend and helper of Pierre de Coubertin. De Coubertin was the legendary second president of the IOC. When de Coubertin joined the French army in 1916, de Blonay stepped in as the temporary president of the IOC.
Before that, de Coubertin faced money problems and took a less active role. De Blonay was then put in charge of a special committee to help run the Olympics. However, some people think he might have upset de Coubertin. They believe he took too much power with this committee. This could be why he wasn't chosen to become the third IOC president in 1925. This decision was a surprise to many.
Family Life
Godefroy de Blonay married Elisabeth Sophie de Salis on September 24, 1901, in Neuchâtel. Elisabeth was born in Neuchâtel on May 21, 1880, and passed away on March 30, 1967. She was the only surviving child of Count Peter de Salis. Her mother was Agnes Louisa La Trobe. Agnes was the daughter of Governor Charles Joseph La Trobe.
Godefroy and Elisabeth had four children together. They lived at the beautiful château de Grandson in Vaud, Switzerland. This area is near Yverdon-les-Bains.
