He was a member of the International Olympic Committee from 1973 to 2002. An associate of Juan Antonio Samaranch, he served as IOC vice-president from 1988 to 1992, member of the executive board from 1984 to 1988 and 1993 to 1998, and chair of its ethics commission since 1999. He also served as president of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the highest Olympic tribunal.