Reşit Atabinen studied political science in Paris and then had careers as a journalist and diplomat. In 1906 he became editor-in-chief of the Levant Herald. He served as a diplomat in Bucareşti, Washington, Madrid and Teheran, later serving as a deputy in the National Assembly. He also served in Parliament starting in 1927. Atabinen was co-opted onto the IOC in June 1933 although he had no significant interest in sports. During his IOC tenure he attended only 2 of 15 Sessions, and after missing 12 in a row, he was decommissioned in July 1952.