Olaf Poulsen

Who was Olaf Poulsen?

Olaf Poulsen was a Norwegian sports official, best known as president of the worldwide speed skating federation International Skating Union.

Born in Kristiania, Poulsen was an active speed skated in his younger days. He represented the club Oslo IL, and eventually became involved in the administration of that club. He eventually became an honorary club member.

He became a member of the board of the Norwegian Skating Association in 1966, vice president in 1968 and president from 1969 to 1973. In the International Skating Union he was a board member from 1971, vice president from 1977 and president from 1980 to 1994. From 1992 to 1994 he was also a member of the International Olympic Committee. He retired after the 1994 Winter Olympics, held in his native country.