Marcelo de Alvear

Marcelo de Alvear studied at the University of Buenos Aires where he became interested in politics, eventually adopting radical ideas, and participating in three revolutions and leading the Radical Civic Union (UCR). However, he eventually became a member of the government and was appointed as ambassador to Paris in 1917. In October 1922 de Alvear became the 20th President of Argentina, serving in that role until October 1928. De Alvear’s UCR continued to protest against conservative policies of the new government, and they supported an attempted revolution, which led to his arrest and subsequent deportation to Europe. He returned to Argentina in 1934 but by then his political support had waned.

In sports de Alvear was most interested in shooting, having won a team gold and individual bronze in free pistol shooting at the 1903 World Championships held in Buenos Aires. He became an IOC Member in March 1922, resigning in 1932 when he left the country. Given his duties as President of the country, it is nor surprising that he had little time for Olympic matters, and he attended only one IOC Session during his tenure.