Alexandre, Prince de Merode

Alexandre, Prince de Merode was born into a family whose line went back to a 13th century Archbishop of Köln (Cologne). He studied at Godinne College, then Saint Louis University of Bruxelles, and then received a law degree at Louvain University. Due to his heritage and wealth, he spent much of his time on sports administration and charitable endeavors. He began his career as President of the Belgian Supreme Council for Physical Education, Sport and Outdoor Life. He then led the Anti-Doping Commission of the Belgian Ministry of Public Health (French Community), before becoming an administrator within the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee. He was a director of several Belgian companies, and was President of the Genealogical and Heraldic Office of Belgium and of Belgium’s Royal Association of Historic Residences.

Prince de Merode became an IOC Member in 1964. His primary role on the IOC was as Chairman of the Medical Commission from 1967 until he left the IOC at his death in November 2002. He was largely responsible for leading the IOC fight against doping. He was a member of the IOC Executive Board from 1980-89 and 1994-98, serving in the Vice-Presidential line of succession twice, and was 1st Vice-President in 1988-89 and 1997-98. He also served on the Commission for the Olympic Movement in 1980-90 and 1994-98, and the Council of the Olympic Order from 1994-98.