Erwin Lanc

Erwin Lanc was a prominent Austrian sports administrator and politician, known for his significant contributions to handball and international diplomacy. He served as the president of the Austrian Handball Federation from 1977 to 1993 and led the International Handball Federation (IHF) from 1984 to 2000. His efforts were instrumental in establishing the European Handball Federation (EHF), with Vienna becoming a central hub for the sport in Europe. In addition to his sports leadership, Lanc held several key governmental positions in Austria, including Minister of Transport, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was also the president of the International Institute for Peace (IIP) from 1989 to 2008, highlighting his commitment to promoting peace and cooperation on a global scale.