Adolf Ogi

Adolf Ogi (Swiss Standard German: [ˈaːdɔlf ˈoːɡi]; born 18 July 1942) is a Swiss politician who most recently served as Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General on Sport for Development and Peace from 2001 to 2008. He previously served as member of the Federal Council (Switzerland) for the Swiss People's Party from 1987 to 2000.^[1][2] He held the Presidency of the Swiss Confederation twice in 1993 and 2000.

Adolf Ogi
Official portrait, 2000
Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace
In office 28 February 2001 – April 2008
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Willi Lemke
President of Switzerland
In office 1 January 2000 – 31 December 2000
Preceded by	Ruth Dreifuss
Succeeded by	Moritz Leuenberger
In office 1 January 1993 – 31 December 1993
Preceded by	René Felber
Succeeded by	Otto Stich
Member of the Swiss Federal Council
In office 1 January 1988 – 31 December 2000
Preceded by	Leon Schlumpf
Succeeded by	Samuel Schmid
Vice President of Switzerland
In office 1 January 1999 – 31 December 1999
President	Ruth Dreifuss
Preceded by	Ruth Dreifuss
Succeeded by	Moritz Leuenberger
Personal details
Born	Adolf Ogi (1942-07-18) 18 July 1942 (age 82) Kandersteg, Switzerland
Political party	Swiss People's Party
Spouse	Katharina Marti ​ (m. 1972)​
Children	2
Residence(s)	Geneva, Switzerland
Awards	European University (Honorary Doctorate)
Signature
Website	Official website Parliament website

Between 1979 and 1987, Ogi represented the Canton of Bern in the National Council (Switzerland).^[3] He was among the rare examples of politicians in the Swiss parliament not having received a traditional tertiary education.^[4] Ogi is also known for his significant achievements in the Swiss Olympic Association serving as its president from 2001 to 2008. After leaving federal office he has been an advocate for peace building on a global scale.

Early life and education

Ogi was born 18 July 1942 in Kandersteg, Switzerland in the Bernese Alps, a son of Adolf Ogi, Sr., a forester, mountain guide, skiing teacher and part-time municipal president, and Anna Ogi (née Wenger).

After completion his primary education in Kandersteg, Ogi attended the École du Commerce in La Neuveville from 1958 to 1961 followed by an educational stay in the United Kingdom.^[5]

Political career

During his time in office, he was in charge of the following departments:

• Federal Department of Transport, Communications and Energy (1988 – 1995)^[6]
• Federal Military Department (from 1996), later named Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (1998 – 2000)^[7]

He was President of the Confederation twice in 1993 and 2000.^[8]

From 2001 to 2008, Ogi was a Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace to the United Nations Secretary-General.^[9]

Ogi is today an ambassador for Peace and Sport, a Monaco-based international organization, committed to serving peace in the world through sport.^[10][11]

Ogi was awarded an honorary doctorate by the European University.^[12]

Ogi released a biography entitled Dölf Ogi: Statesman and Sportsman.^[13][14]

Ogi received the Gold Olympic Order in the year 2000.^[15]

Personal life

In 1972, Ogi married Katharina "Katrin" Marti, a daughter of Hans Marti and Greti Marti (née Messer), innkeepers in Fraubrunnen. They had two children; a son and a daughter;

• Mathias Adolf Ogi (1974-2009), a jurist and attorney, who died aged only 35 from a rare form of throat cancer.^[16][17]
• Caroline Ogi (born 1975), a hotelier and restaurateur in Crans-Montana.^[18]

Ogi resides in Geneva, Switzerland.