Kevan Gosper Awarded the Olympic Order

Australia’s most senior member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Kevan Gosper has been awarded the Olympic Order in silver.

The IOC paid tribute to Gosper for his 36 years of commitment to the Olympic Movement, presenting the award at the 125th Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

A silver medallist in the 4 x 400m relay at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics he joined the IOC in 1977 and served two terms as a Vice President and also on the IOC Executive Board.

He has been Chairman of the IOC Press Commission for 20 years.

He is turning 80 in December, the IOC’s retirement age for members, but he will then become an honorary member and "will remain active, but quietly".

Gosper received his award on the same day AOC President John Coates was elected unopposed a Vice President of the IOC.

"This is a perfect baton exchange," Gosper said. "The day I go is the day he becomes Vice President, it is extraordinary, but we’ve been working on it for years (laughing)."

Gosper admitted the Olympic Order is a great thrill but it is also a day tinged with sadness. "I’ve had a great run and it is up to the young people now to make it work."

"I’ve had 36 incredible years, Vice President, the Executive Board, three Olympic bids for Australia and my involvement with the Sydney Organising Committee (SOCOG), President of Oceania (Pacific nations) and all the time with the support of my family, it is an astonishing list, I have no complaints."

"What really struck me today was how Australia has reached such great heights as an Olympic Committee."

AOC

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