Mexico’s Olegario Vázquez Raña (83) has been leading the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) for 38 years. A successful entrepreneur, a four-time Olympian as well as a national, continental and world record holder, he has been the driving force behind the innovations that changed sport in the last four decades.
On 30 November 2018 he steps down and retires following a decision he made public in 2014, as the ISSF General Assembly elects its new leadership in Munich.
ISSF TV met him in Mexico City in July 2018, when Mr. Vázquez Raña opened the doors of his office and of his house to tell the story of how he got involved in the sport by chance, to end up being a shooting champion, as well as the longest-standing ISSF President.
The documentary, a collection of memories and stories spanning half century, has now been published on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/TSxgsofr1zo
The video also feature interviews with IOC President Thomas Bach, ISSF Secretary General Franz Schreiber, ISSF Vice President Gary Anderson, ISSF Executive Committee Members Robert Mitchell and Alexandros Dimakakos, ISSF Administrative Council Member Derek Ivy, India's first Olympic Gold medalist and former ISSF Athletes Committee Chairman Abhinav Bindra, the President of the Shooting Confederation of the Americas Carlos Sliva Monterroso, and Olegario Vazquez Raña's wife Maria de Los Angeles Aldir de Vazquez, their son Olegario Vazquez Aldir, and their daughters Monica and Maria.
“I started by chance, but I soon got to love Shooting. I love this sport. It’s in my blood, it’s in my dreams,” President Vázquez Raña said.
“My decision to retire was taken and communicated four years ago the 2014 ISSF General Assembly here in Munich. I have been asked to stay longer. But it’s now time for me to retire. I gave most of my life to this sport, and I want to spend more time with my family. I am leaving satisfied and happy.”
“I leave with my head held high because I fulfilled all the goals I set for our Sport, thanks to the great team I’ve had.”