Anita DeFrantz

Career

Juvenile Law Center of Philadelphia, attorney, 1977-79; Princeton Univ, administrator, 1979-81; The Corporation for Enterprise Development, counsel, 1980-81; Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, vice pres, 1981-85; Amateur Athletic Foundation, pres, 1987-. U.S. Women’s Rowing Team, team captain, 1976 Olympics, Montreal; World Rowing Championships, 1978; U.S. Women’s Rowing Team, 1975-80.

Life’s Work

Anita DeFrantz did not grow up dreaming of Olympic glory, yet she glided to a bronze medal as an American rower. As a law student she did not plan on becoming a voice for athletes’ rights, yet she made headlines when she opposed the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Her early career goals did not include a starring role in international athletics, however in October of 1986 she made history when she was appointed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC)–the governing body of the Olympic games. She has received dozens of awards for her work on behalf of athletes and nearly as many medals as an athlete herself. Many have called her the most powerful woman in sports. Perhaps even more might agree with the Houston Chronicle which wrote, “Anita DeFrantz, with a stately presence and an Olympic will, may stride into the 21st Century as the most influential sports figure in the world. Period.”

In 1985, DeFrantz joined the staff of the LA84 Foundation (formerly Amateur Athletic
Foundation of Los Angeles), the organization established to manage the surplus from the 1984 Olympic Games. She has served as the LA84 Foundation’s president since 1987.
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