Kurt Gassmann

Kurt Gassmann (21 May 1891 – 24 July 1964) was a Swiss jurist and sports official who served as Secretary General of FIFA (1951–1960).

Biography Gassmann, born in 1891 in Bern, started his career in sports as a football player for FC Biel, and later became the General Secretary of the Swiss Football Association (SFA) in 1916, a role he held for about 16 years until 1942. During his tenure, he was instrumental in organizing various football events and was later honored as an honorary member of the SFA in 1945.

Gassmann's involvement with the Swiss Olympic Committee (COS) began in 1923. He played a crucial role in organizing the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, the first Winter Games after World War II. Despite the challenges of organizing the event in post-war Europe, his meticulous planning and organizational skills ensured its success, earning praise from the International Olympic Committee for being one of the best-organized games. During his tenure, he oversaw the organization of the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland. His administrative skills and detailed approach significantly shaped the operations of FIFA during a formative period for the organization.