DEMETRIUS Vikelas (1835-1908) was the first president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 1894 to 1896. He was also a famous poet and educator.
Vikelas was born in Greece. When he was a child, he was often sick. Because of his bad health, he did not have a continuous education. At the age of 17, he left home to work for an uncle in London. There, he met and became friends with the future prime minister of Greece. Vikelas represented the Pan-Hellenic Gymnastic Club (泛希腊体操俱乐部) at the Paris congress in 1894. Pierre de Coubertin (顾拜旦) organized the congress. It was at this congress that the IOC was founded.
Vikelas actively supported Coubertin's idea of reviving（复兴）the modern Olympic Games. At first, Coubertin planned to hold the first modern Olympic Games in Paris. But Vikelas suggested they be held in Athens. And because the ancient Olympic Games had been held in Athens, the IOC agreed with Vikelas. The Charter of the IOC（奥林匹克宪章）required the president to be from the country that would host the next Games. As a result, Vikelas became the IOC's first president.
After these first Olympic Games, Vikelas left the IOC and turned his attention elsewhere. He died in Athens, at age 73.
