A native of Dublin, he had the rare distiction of having served in every capacity with the Olympic Council of Ireland.
In 1981 to mark his outstanding contribution to the Olympic Movement, Des was awarded the silver medal of the Olympic Order. In 1957 Des was named as delegate to the Olympic Council by the Irish Amateur Rowing Union, one year later succeeding Vincent Rowan as Treasurer of the OCI
Re-elected Treasurer Treasurer for the Rome, Tokyo, Mexico, and Munich Games between 1960-1972 he then was elected to the role of General Secretary of the OCI.
He was Chef de Mission of the Irish Team for the Montreal Games in 1976, and became Vice President of the OCI in 1975, due to the death of the OCI President Paddy Carroll.
Following the Montreal Games he was elected President of the Olympic Council of Ireland and held this position until his retirement in 1989.
He was then elected as an Honorary Life President.
A member of the famous Neptune Rowing Club since 1942 Des O’Sullivan was a member of the All Ireland Club hampionship Eights in 1944 and subsequently he was to become club secretary, then Captain, and later President.
In addition he became Secretary of the Dublin Metropolitan Regatta Committee for 10 years and was to become President and Chairman of this international event.
Des’s contribution to the Olympic Movement was recognised by the Olympic Council and IOC in 1981 when he was awarded the silver medal of the Olympic Order.
May he rest in peace.
