Epameinondas Petralias graduated with a law degree from Athens University and later practiced at the High Court of Justice and the State Council in Greece. As a youth he had been a top water polo player, leading his hometown of Patras to the Greek Championship in 1928 and 1933. He worked for many years in sports administration, serving as Vice-President of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and Hellenic Alpine Club. He was Secretary-General of the Hellenic Olympic Committee from 1969-74, and was Greek Secretary of State for Sport from 1961-63. Petralias served as President of the International Olympic Academy (IOA) in 1970, and was a Rector from 1971-74. He was also Secretary-General of the International Mediterranean Games Committee. Petralias was co-opted onto the IOC in May 1975, but served only a bit over two years, dying in November 1977.