Alejandro Blanco Bravo, born on October 9, 1950, in Orense, Spain, has been the president of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) since 2005. He holds a degree in Physical Sciences from the University of Valladolid. His early career was deeply rooted in judo, where he achieved the rank of 7th Dan black belt and served as both a coach and referee.
Blanco’s leadership roles in sports administration began with his presidency of the Federación Castellano y Leonesa de Judo y D.A. from 1985 to 1993, after which he became the president of the Real Federación Española de Judo y Deportes Asociados. He played a crucial role in founding the Confederación de Federaciones Deportivas Españolas (COFEDE) in 2003.
Throughout his tenure, Blanco has been a prominent advocate for the independence of the Olympic movement and has often acted as a mediator in conflicts involving National Olympic Committees and governments. He also led Madrid’s bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics. His contributions to sports and the Olympic movement have been recognized with several honors, including the Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit [oai_citation:1,Alejandro Blanco.
The Spanish Olympic Committee (Comité Olímpico Español, COE) is the official body responsible for Spain’s representation in the Olympic Games, as well as the preparation and management of Spanish athletes for these events. Founded in 1924, the COE works closely with national sports federations to promote sports development across Spain. It is also committed to fostering the Olympic values of fair play, sportsmanship, and the importance of physical education and participation in sports at all levels.
Alejandro Blanco Bravo has been the president of the COE since 2005, overseeing Spain’s Olympic activities and promoting the nation’s sporting excellence on the international stage. Under his leadership, the COE has made significant strides in supporting Spanish athletes and organizing bids for hosting major sporting events.
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