IHF Honorary Member Janis Grinbergas from Lithuania celebrates his 85th birthday on 29 October. In his younger days Grinbergas, born in Liepaja, Lithuania, was a basketball player, referee and coach, before he changed to handball after graduating at the Latvian Institute of Physical Education. From 1953 to 1955 Grinbergas was a member of the Physical Culture and Sports Committee of the Soviet Union for basketball. From 1953 to 1989, thus for an outstanding period of 36 years, he was a member of the Physical Culture and Sports Committee for handball. In addition he was coach of the Soviet women’s national team from 1956 to 1964, and coach of the Soviet men’s national team in 1964/1965 and from 1968 to 1970. Grinbergas was a national and international handball referee, also on IHF level. After his coaching and refereeing career Grinbergas was in the Organizing Committee for the handball tournament at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. When Lithuania became independent in 1989 again he became the first Secretary General of the newly founded National Olympic Committee. After three years he retired from this position and became Honorary Secretary General of the Lithuanian NOC. From 1972 to 2000 Grinbergas was member of the IHF Playing Rules and Referees Commission, before he became Honorary Member of the IHF. He was representative at seven Olympics Games and more than 20 World Championships.