Former Australian Olympian and IOC official Kevan Gosper dies at 90

SYDNEY (AP) — The Australian Olympic Committee announced the passing of former high-ranking IOC member and Australian Olympian Kevan Gosper, who died at the age of 90.

According to a statement from the AOC, Gosper passed away on Friday following a brief illness.

Gosper was celebrated for his athletic prowess, earning an Olympic silver medal as part of Australia’s 4×400-meter relay team at the 1956 Melbourne Games. He also competed in the 1960 Rome Olympics before transitioning into a prominent role as a sports administrator both locally and globally.

As a one-time president of the Australian Olympic Committee, Gosper was an IOC member from 1977 until 2013, after which he was designated an honorary member. His career included two terms on the IOC Executive Board (1986-1990 and 1995-1999), and he chaired the IOC Press Commission from 1989 to 2013. Additionally, he served two terms as an IOC vice-president.

Gosper was the inaugural chairman of the Australian Institute of Sport starting in 1980 and played a key role as Australian Olympic Federation president. His efforts were crucial in securing the Sydney Olympics in 2000, during which he served as vice-president of the organizing committee.

AOC President Ian Chesterman emphasized Gosper’s significant impact on both Australian and global sports.

“Kevan was one of the true giants of the Olympic movement, not just in Australia but globally,” Chesterman mentioned in the statement. “His loss will be felt enormously by so many of his friends who are gathering in Paris for the Olympic Games. There will be so many there from across the world who will have a heavy heart today with the news of Kevan’s passing.”

The AOC stated that Gosper is survived by his wife, Judy, and children Dean, Brett, Richard, and Sophie.

Source: AP