The European Olympic Committees and the whole Olympic Family are greatly saddened to learn of the death of IOC Honorary Member Vladimir Cernusak, on Monday, at the age of 96.

The IOC published today a press release recalling his long career in the sports movement, in which Professor Vladimir Cernusak played an influential role both nationally and internationally, successfully leading the integration of the newly formed Slovak sports organisations into the Olympic Movement after the Czechoslovak separation in 1993.

Founding President of the Slovak Olympic Committee (1992-1999), then Honorary President (1999-2018), Cernusak also served the Olympic Movement (1981-2001) as IOC Member for Czechoslovakia, then as first IOC Member for Slovakia, and as an Honorary Member after 2002. Over the duration of his membership, he put his talents to work for the Olympic Programme Commission (winter) (1983-1994) and the Press Commission (1996-2001).

Vladimír Černušák was born on November 25, 1921 in Novy Meste nad Váhom. He studied Geography and Physical Education at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Charles University in Bratislava (1945). A teacher, coach and scientist, Cernusak devoted his life to sport and education: a university instructor in education (1948-1968); a professor in the Physical Education and Sport Faculty of Comenius University (1968-1990); and Director of the research institute of the Comenius University Physical Education and Sport Faculty (1966-1970), Cernusak enriched sport by bringing a new perspective to the preparation of talented young athletes and the introduction of a sports class system.

Cernusak was also actively involved in sports administration. As a senior official in the Czechoslovakian Physical Education Association (1946-1992); President of the Slovak Central Committee of the Czechoslovakian Physical Education Association (1969-1983); and Vice-President of the Czechoslovakian Olympic Committee (1969-1992), he served as Chef de Mission for the Czechoslovak team at the Olympic Winter Games Sapporo 1972, where Ondrej Nepela became the first athlete ever to win a gold medal for his country.

 At the age of 80, Vladimír Černušák became an honorary member of the IOC. At the IOC Session in Salt Lake City, IOC president Jacques Rogge, awarded him with the Order of Merit.

Every year, the Slovak Olympic Committee awards the Vladimír Černušák Prize to its best sports representatives.

A true sports fan, and a good friend of the European Olympic family, Professor Cernusak also made his contribution to numerous publications in the fields of swimming, touring and sports training.

The EOC expresses its deepest sympathies to Professor Cernusak’s family.