Olympics Games Official. He served as President of the International Olympic Committee, serving in that role from 1952 to 1972. The only American to hold the office, he was a track and field athlete, competing with the United States team during the 1912 Stockholm, Sweden games. In 1972 he made the controversial decision to continue with the games in Munich, Germany after 11 Israeli athletes were murdered by Palestinian terrorists.  Family links:  Parents:  Minnie LLoyd Brundage (1864 – 1919)