Tributes pour in as Olympics legend and IOC member Phil Coles passes away at age 91
- Replies 2
The whole Seniors Discount Club team was saddened to learn of the passing of three-time Olympian Phil Coles earlier this week. He was 91.
Tributes have poured in from all corners of the sporting world, remembering Mr Coles as a passionate athlete and leader, who made a significant impact on the Olympic movement over his long career.
One of his most significant and memorable accomplishments was his role in ensuring Australian athletes were allowed to compete at the Moscow 1980 Olympics, despite it being against the express wishes of then-prime minister Malcolm Fraser. It was a move that would solidify the Australian Olympic Committee’s independence.
International Olympic Committee member John Coates remembered him fondly.
'The athletes of Australia have lost one of their true champions and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) one of its strongest leaders,' he said. 'It was Phil who was key to our participation in Moscow 1980 and notwithstanding intense personal and public abuse.'
The current president of the AOC, Ian Chesterman, also commented, speaking to the immense mark that Phil Coles left on Australian sport.
'His service to Australian sport was immense,' he said.
The Australian Olympic Committee has been an advocate for the rights of athletes and their participation in the global Olympic competition since its founding in 1920. The AOC has been a major influence on global Olympic participation throughout its long history, and its membership has included some of Australia’s most talented athletes.
The AOC is responsible for choosing, managing and supporting the Australian Olympic Team, and ensuring that athletes have the best possible environment and conditions to perform globally. This commitment was exemplified by Phil Coles in his work to ensure that the Australian Team could compete in the 1980 Olympics, despite the boycott initiated by the United States to protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
The AOC was also an instrumental part in Australia’s successful bid for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and the upcoming 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
In one of the last interviews that Mr Coles gave before his passing, he told ABC's The Ticket program about his wish of returning to Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics, which he had competed in as the canoe team captain back in the 1964 games.
We're glad to report that he was able to get his wish, taking four Olympic pins (one for each of his crew) to throw into the lake on which they competed nearly 60 years ago. We join his family, friends and the wider sporting community in their sadness at the loss of this after his passing. Rest in peace Phil.
What are some special memories you have of Australian Olympic athletes? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Tributes have poured in from all corners of the sporting world, remembering Mr Coles as a passionate athlete and leader, who made a significant impact on the Olympic movement over his long career.
One of his most significant and memorable accomplishments was his role in ensuring Australian athletes were allowed to compete at the Moscow 1980 Olympics, despite it being against the express wishes of then-prime minister Malcolm Fraser. It was a move that would solidify the Australian Olympic Committee’s independence.
Phil Coles (far right) and his Olympic teammates Barry Stuart, Dennis Green and Dennis McGuire at the Athletes Village in Tokyo, 1964. (Supplied: Phil Coles via the ABC)
International Olympic Committee member John Coates remembered him fondly.
'The athletes of Australia have lost one of their true champions and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) one of its strongest leaders,' he said. 'It was Phil who was key to our participation in Moscow 1980 and notwithstanding intense personal and public abuse.'
The current president of the AOC, Ian Chesterman, also commented, speaking to the immense mark that Phil Coles left on Australian sport.
'His service to Australian sport was immense,' he said.
The Australian Olympic Committee has been an advocate for the rights of athletes and their participation in the global Olympic competition since its founding in 1920. The AOC has been a major influence on global Olympic participation throughout its long history, and its membership has included some of Australia’s most talented athletes.
The AOC is responsible for choosing, managing and supporting the Australian Olympic Team, and ensuring that athletes have the best possible environment and conditions to perform globally. This commitment was exemplified by Phil Coles in his work to ensure that the Australian Team could compete in the 1980 Olympics, despite the boycott initiated by the United States to protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
The AOC was also an instrumental part in Australia’s successful bid for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and the upcoming 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
In one of the last interviews that Mr Coles gave before his passing, he told ABC's The Ticket program about his wish of returning to Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics, which he had competed in as the canoe team captain back in the 1964 games.
We're glad to report that he was able to get his wish, taking four Olympic pins (one for each of his crew) to throw into the lake on which they competed nearly 60 years ago. We join his family, friends and the wider sporting community in their sadness at the loss of this after his passing. Rest in peace Phil.
What are some special memories you have of Australian Olympic athletes? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
.png){kind=icon}
