Bob Walsh

Bob Walsh has pioneered many major international events and has been honored for many prestigious awards. He is best known for his role in organizing the 1990 Goodwill Games with Ted Turner in Seattle. His citizen diplomacy in the former Soviet Union also led to several humanitarian efforts. As a result of these humanitarian activities, Walsh received the Supreme Soviet Award in 1988 from then President Mikhail Gorbachev. Only three other Americans have received this prestigious award, including former Presidents Reagan and Bush. Walsh directed a portion of the Armenian earthquake relief effort for the Soviet government. The global humanitarian organization, CARE, credits him for introducing them to the former Soviet Union. After the break-up of the USSR, with the help of President Eduard Shevardnadze, Walsh arranged for the distribution of food and medicine to the Republic of Georgia. His years of humanitarian efforts and tireless promotion of the country of Georgia led to the award of Honorary Citizen of Georgia in 2002. and was given the 1990 World Citizen Award from the World Affairs Council.