“Sad Day for the Olympic Movement”: 91-Year-Old Olympian’s Death Leaves Sports World Saddened

28th January turned out to be a sad day for Australian sports. Three-time Olympian and one of the major contributors to their Olympic committee Phil Coles died this Saturday. Coles represented Australia in canoeing back in the 1960, 1964, and 1968 Olympics. Later, he joined the Australian Olympic Committee in 1983 and worked immensely for the growth of the sport in Australia.

A legendary sports administrator and member of the AOC, Coles was a member of the International Olympic Committee as well. He joined the latter in 1982 and worked till 2011. After his demise, current AOC President, Ian Chesterman, spoke a few words in his tribute.

A tribute to the legendary sportsman of Australia 

Phil Coles has been a huge part of the Olympics for many decades. While saying a few words for this legend, Nine Entertainment Co. reported how Chesterman remembered Coles’ immense contribution to the sporting world. 

Chesterman said, “His service to Australian sport was immense. Phil’s passing, after a lifetime in sport, is a sad day for the Olympic movement and many involved in the wider sports community in Australia.”

The AOC President also looked back to the Tokyo Olympics, where he met the 91-year-old. He addresses that as a propitious moment, as he was extremely happy to be back in Tokyo, where he also played his second Olympics as an athlete in 1964.

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Moreover, Chesterman recalled, “He greatly enjoyed the opportunity to watch the current day competitors, the athletes being at the heart of his long service to the Olympic movement.” While the AOC President thanked Coles for his work for the Australian sports committee, the IOC President also stepped up to say a few words for the legend.

IOC President mourns the demise of the Australian legend

The whole Olympic committee respects the Australian canoeist. Even more for his contribution to the AOC than anything else. Especially his take during the 1980 Olympics when the Australian Olympic Committee was asked to boycott the Moscow Olympics. IOC President, Thomas Bach, remembered their time together and spoke a few words about his friend.

“His love for the Olympic Games was at the center of his life. Personally, I have lost a wonderful friend with whom I shared so many moments of our Olympic lives.”, Thomas Bach said, according to The Guardian. Moreover, Bach also gave his thoughts to Coles’ family and friends during difficult times. 

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Australia and the world lost one of the greatest admirers and supporters of sports on Saturday. No words and no one can fill his void for the Olympic movement.