Remembering Lambis Nikolaou: Olympic Legacy of a Visionary

Lambis Nikolaou, a former vice president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) who played a crucial role in organizing the 2004 Athens Summer Games, has passed away at the age of 89.

Nikolaou served as an IOC member for 29 years until 2015, later becoming an honorary member. The IOC has not disclosed the cause of death.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry praised Nikolaou's dedication to the Olympic spirit in a statement, while Isidoros Kouvelos, president of the Greek Olympic committee, noted Nikolaou's efforts to solidify Greece's status in the global Olympic community.

Nikolaou was the president of the Greek Olympic body during the lead-up to the Athens Olympics, eventually serving as an IOC vice president under Jacques Rogge. As a tribute, the IOC will fly its flag at half-staff for three days at its Lausanne headquarters.