ICSSPE Mourns the Loss of Willi Lemke (1946-2024)

It is with deep sadness that the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) has learned of the passing of Willi Lemke, with whom we had the privilege of collaborating on numerous international projects. Willi was not only a football manager, politician, and educator but also an enthusiast who deeply believed in the unifying power of sport.

From 2008 to 2016, he served as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Development and Peace, a role to which he was appointed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. During his tenure, he initiated numerous impactful projects worldwide, leaving a lasting legacy.

Willi Lemke was a passionate advocate for sport for persons with disabilities, particularly in connection with the Paralympic Games and the Special Olympics. He also played a significant role in supporting quality physical education and advancing sport science research.

"My relationship with Willi dates back to the early 1970s, when we were both selected as leaders of delegations at the International Student Camp during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich," says Professor Dr. Gudrun Doll-Tepper, ICSSPE Honorary President. "From those early days, we shared many enriching exchanges of ideas and initiatives."

In the picture we can see Willi Lemke, with the late ICSSPE’s President Margaret Talbot and Professor Dr. Gudrun Doll-Tepper, ICSSPE Honorary President, in one of his visits to ICSSPE’s HQ in 2010.

ICSSPE extends its deepest condolences to Willi Lemke's family and friends. We will always remember him as an outstanding personality of international standing with remarkable contributions to the world of sport, and we will cherish the fond memories we have of him.