Sergio Orsi

During his time at University, Firenze-born Sergio Orsi was a rower with the University Fascist Group (GUF) and, in 1935, was founder of the Circolo Canottieri Firenzea. He was a keen footballer, and also played tamburello, a local Italian sport similar to pelota basque. Because of World War II, Orsi ended his sporting career, graduating in agriculture during the War.

On the sporting front, Orsi became a member of the Technical Sprint Commission of the International Canoe Federation (ICF) in 1958. He held the post until 1966 when he became president. In 1972 he became secretary-general of the ICF until 1980, when he was unanimously elected president. He remained at the top until 1998 when he became honorary president. Under his guidance, the ICF recognized polo canoe and canoe marathon, and established the Junior World Championships. In addition, he was responsible for getting canoe slalom back onto the Olympic programme at the Barcelona Games, for the first time in 20 years.

Between 1982-90 Orsi was the first President of FICK, the Italian Federation of Canoe and Kayak. Prior to that he was vice-president of the Rowing Federation between 1961-73, and then led the Italian Commission of Canoe for three years, 1979-82. As a national and international sports director, Orsi was involved in the Olympics from Roma 1960 to Sydney 2000. He was also a guest at the Winter Games from 1984-92. Orso was a member of ASOIF, the marketing commission of the IOC, and a member of the commission for the 1996 Centennial Games.

Orsi was a Knight of the Republic of Italy, awarded the Stella d’Oro (Gold star) by the Italian Olympic Committee for sports merit, and a silver Olympic Order recipient. Orsi died at the age of 90 in his hometown, Firenze.