Ivar Holmquist

Lieutenant General Carl Axel Fredrik Ivar Holmquist (22 February 1879 – 24 September 1954) was a senior Swedish Army officer and sports official. He was president of the International Ski Federation from 1924 to 1934 and served as Chief of the Swedish Army during World War II.

Holmquist, embarked on a career spanning from his commissioning in 1899 to his tenure as Chief of the Army from 1940 to 1944. Notable milestones include his service in various roles within the Royal Swedish Army Staff College and his command of the Norrbotten Regiment and the Northern Army Division. Rising through the ranks, he attained the position of lieutenant general in 1940. Beyond his military career, Holmquist was deeply involved in sports administration, particularly skiing. He co-founded the International Ski Federation (FIS) and served as its inaugural president from 1924 to 1934. Additionally, he played pivotal roles in promoting cross-country skiing in Sweden and advocating for alpine skiing's introduction in the country. His leadership extended to chairing organizations like the Association for the Promotion of Cross-country Skiing in Sweden and the Norrbotten Landstorm Association. Holmquist's legacy endures through his significant contributions to both the military and sports domains.

Early life Holmquist was born on 22 February 1879 in Helsingborg, Sweden, the son of Lieutenant General (1847–1927) and his wife Baroness Cecilia Raab. He was a teacher at the Royal Swedish Army Staff College from 1911 to 1917 and captain of the General Staff in 1912. Holmquist was ordered to the Austro-Hungarian Army in 1912 and was captain of the Göta Life Guards in 1917.

Other work Holmquist was the Swedish Army's representative at the military skiing competition in Oslo in 1930, chairman of the Association for the Promotion of Cross-country Skiing in Sweden, vice chairman of the Swedish Ski Association, chairman of the Norrbotten Landstorm Association, president of the International Ski Federation from 1924 to 1934 and honorary chairman from 1934. Holmquist worked to introduce alpine skiing in Sweden and was the initiator for the Association for Ski Promotion's facilities in Storlien and Riksgränsen.

Personal life Holmquist was in his first marriage 1904–1920 married to Thora Nygren (born 1883), daughter of the pharmacist Gottfrid Nygren and Augusta Lyon. They were the parents of Bengt Holmquist (1907–1992). He was in his second marriage 1924–1936 married to Mary Hammarberg (born 1880), daughter of merchant James Hammarberg and Mina Evers.

Swedish Military Sports Association's Prize Medal in Gold (Sveriges militära idrottsförbunds prismedalj i guld) Association for the Promotion of Cross-country skiing in Sweden's gold medal (Föreningens för skidlöpningens främjande i Sveriges guldmedalj) Swedish Gymnastic and Sports Clubs' Association's gold medal (Svenska gymnastik- och idrottsföreningarnas riksförbunds guldmedalj)

Foreign

Commander 2nd Class of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria

Honours Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences