section_path: Presidents/J. Sigfrid Edström (1942–1952)
section_name: J. Sigfrid Edström (1942–1952)
paragraph_text: J. Sigfrid Edström (1942–1952)
  
  When IOC president Henri de Baillet-Latour died in 1942, Swedish industrialist J. Sigfrid Edström took over as the acting president until the end of World War II, when he was formally elected IOC president. He played an important role in reviving the Olympic Movement after the war.
  
  In 1931, Edström was involved in the controversial decision to ban legendary Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi from competing at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, as the IOC considered Nurmi to be a professional athlete. This had a negative effect on Finland's relationship with Sweden, as Nurmi was a celebrated national hero in his own country.
  
  Edström retired from the IOC presidency in 1952 and was succeeded by Avery Brundage.