Kemalettin Sami

Biographical information

RolesAdministrator
SexMale
Full nameKemalettin Sami
Used name•Kemalettin Sami
Born1884 in Sinop, Sinop (TUR)
Died15 April 1934 in Berlin, Berlin (GER)
Title(s)Paşa
NOC Türkiye

Biography

Paşa Kemalettin Sami was a military man who studied at the Turkish Military Academy. He fought in the Balkan Wars and in World War I saw action in the Dardenelles, Arabia, and the Caucasus. Promoted to General, he led the Turkish Army against the Greeks in 1922, defeating them near Smyrna, during which time he was wounded 17 times. Sami then convalesced in Germany. Among his military commands were his service as Chief of Staff of the Dardanelles Fortified Area Command, Staff of the Gallipoli Northern Group, Chief of Staff of the Inspectorate of Fortification and Fortified Area, Chief of Staff of the Hejaz Expeditionary Force, Chief of Staff of the VIII Corps, Chief of Staff of the Northern Caucasus Army, and Deputy Commander of the XXV Corps, 10th Caucasian Division

In August 1924 Sami was appointed Ambassador to Germany, but returned to Turkey seven months later to assist in putting down the Kurdish Rebellion. He was later called back to Germany as Ambassador where he died in Berlin in April 1934. In sports Sami is listed by the IOC as President of the Turkish Olympic Committee from 1930-33 but this is not confirmed by Turkish sources. He was co-opted onto the IOC in May 1930 and served until April 1934 but never attended an IOC Session.

Organization roles

Role Organization Tenure NOC As
President Türkiye Millî Olimpiyat Komitesi 1930—1933 TUR Kemalettin Sami
Member International Olympic Committee 1930—1932 TUR Kemalettin Sami

Special Notes