Olympic film-maker Bud Greenspan honoured

When people speak about filming the Olympic Games, one name springs to mind straight away: Bud Greenspan. For more than half a century, he has been instantly recognisable in all the Olympic cities since Helsinki 1952. His company Cappy Productions, created in 1968, is considered as one of the most respected independent production companies in the world. Nicknamed “the chronicler of the sporting world”, Bud Greenspan has written, directed and produced the Olympic films for nine Olympic Games, with the latest one being Torino 2006.

The art of telling sport
Bud Greenspan is no stranger to awards, having received several Emmys and a Directors’ Guild of America Lifetime Achievement. But the special award he received yesterday from IOC President, Jacques Rogge, during a tribute ceremony held in New York, his hometown, was particularly full of emotion. While presenting him with the IOC “Sport and Promotion of Olympism” Trophy, President Rogge recalled that, for decades, Bud Greenspan has been a master in the art of telling the story of the Olympic Games, filming not only the athletes in competition, but also telling the human stories that lie behind the sporting accomplishments on the field of play: excitement in victory, sadness in defeat, and the simple joy of taking part in sport. Like sport and the Olympic Games, Greenspan’s use of words and pictures celebrate human endeavour.






A Greenspan scholarship
At the same ceremony organised by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), the start of fund-raising to endow a scholarship in Greenspan’s name at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts was announced. Greenspan has also written books including “100 Greatest Moments in Olympic History” and produced television series, including the award-winning “The Olympiad” broadcast in 80 countries.