Carlos de Candamo

Carlos de Candamo was born in London, the son of a Peruvian diplomat and nephew of the future President of Peru, Manuel Candamo Iriarte. He moved to Paris when his father was appointed ambassador to France and was to show his talents in a variety of sports.

In 1891 he played in the very first match at the tennis tournament that later became the French Open, and the following year captained Racing Club de France to victory in the inaugural French national rugby championship. The game was refereed by none other than Baron de Coubertin. De Candamo also played, alongside his two brothers, in the Racing Club team that lost the championship final in 1893. The 1900 Olympics saw him take part in the fencing competition, he came through two rounds of the foil but was eliminated in the first round of the épée, and he also took part in the tennis competition, albeit in the non-Olympic handicap events.

He was invited to join the IOC in 1909 and remained a member until his resignation in 1922. De Candamo followed his father into the world of diplomacy and in his position as “Envoy extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Peru at Paris” signed the Treaty of Versailles on behalf of his nation.