Chiharu Igaya

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Administrator
SexMale
Full nameChiharu•Igaya
Used nameChiharu•Igaya
Nick/petnamesChick
Original name猪谷•千春
Born20 May 1931 in Tomari, Hokkaido (JPN)
Measurements166 cm / 68 kg
AffiliationsTokyo Oizumi High School / Dartmouth College (USA) / Physical Education Association, Yamanouchi, Nagano
NOC Japan
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Chiharu Igaya is Japan’s first, and as of 2009, only, Olympic medallist in alpine skiing. A slalom specialist, his capabilities greatly improved during his study at Dartmouth, where he was trained by former downhill World Champion Walter Prager. This first paid off in 1956, when Igaya won a silver medal in the Cortina Olympic slalom. His medal was Japan’s first at the Winter Olympics. Two years later, he won a bronze at the World Championships. Following completion of his studies, Igaya started working in insurance, eventually rising to president of the Japanese branch of AIU. Simultaneously, he also began a career in sports administration. Igaya has been on the FIS alpine skiing committee and rose to vice-president of the International Triathlon Union. In 1982, he became an IOC member, and has since served on the executive board. He became vice-president in 2005.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1952 Winter Olympics Alpine Skiing (Skiing) JPN Chiharu Igaya
Downhill, Men (Olympic) 24
Giant Slalom, Men (Olympic) 20
Slalom, Men (Olympic) 11
1956 Winter Olympics Alpine Skiing (Skiing) JPN Chiharu Igaya
Downhill, Men (Olympic) DQ
Giant Slalom, Men (Olympic) =11
Slalom, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
1960 Winter Olympics Alpine Skiing (Skiing) JPN Chiharu Igaya
Downhill, Men (Olympic) 34
Giant Slalom, Men (Olympic) 23
Slalom, Men (Olympic) 12

Organization roles

Role Organization Tenure NOC As
Member International Olympic Committee 1982—2012 JPN Chiharu Igaya
Executive Board Member International Olympic Committee 1987—1991 JPN Chiharu Igaya
Executive Board Member International Olympic Committee 1996—2000 JPN Chiharu Igaya
4th Vice-President International Olympic Committee 2005—2006 JPN Chiharu Igaya
3rd Vice-President International Olympic Committee 2006—2008 JPN Chiharu Igaya
Vice-President International Olympic Committee 2008—2010 JPN Chiharu Igaya
Honorary International Olympic Committee 2012— JPN Chiharu Igaya

Special Notes