Viktor Smeds

Smeds was one of the most significant and internationally best-known sports leaders of his generation in Finland. His impact was especially pivotal in boxing. He also developed strength sports and wrestling, and won an Olympic medal in gymnastics. He sat in the board of the Finnish Olympic Committee in 1932–1953. and 1st in 1908. He won the Finnish championship in boxing in light heavyweight in 1923 and heavyweight in 1925. He also wrote some boxing-related guides. Club memberships: • Lovisa Tor, founder and chairman Sports leader International: • International Federation of Amateur Boxers / Amateur International Boxing Association, vice president in 1938–1950 • Associazione Pugilistica Professionistica Europea, board member He founded the Finnish Boxing Federation in 1923. He was the president of the federation until his death, except for one year-long break. ==Career==

Smeds completed his matriculation exam in Vaasa Swedish Lycaeum in 1904, and graduated as a filosofian kandidaatti (roughly Master of Arts) from the University of Helsinki in 1907. He also interrogated Soviet prisoners of war in Finland. He left for Sweden in Operation Stella Polaris but soon returned to Finland. He spoke about twelve languages. ==Accolades==

He received the following official decorations: • Finnish state decorations: • Medal of Liberty, 1st Class • Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland • Commemorative medal of the Winter War • foreign national orders: • Commander of the Order of Vasa (Sweden) • Knight of the Legion of Honour (France) • Fourth Class of the Order of the White Star (Estonia) • awards of sports: • Grand Cross of Merit of Finnish physical education and sports • Cross of Merit, 1st Class, of the Finnish Olympic Games 1952 • German Olympic Decoration, 1st Class • Medaille d'honneur de l'Education Physique (France) ==Family==

His parents were farmer Johan Erik Smeds and Lovisa Båsk. They had two children: He's buried at the Hietaniemi Cemetery. ==Sources==