Historic ‘aussie’ leader John Coates has resigned from leading the Australian Olympic Committee after 32 years in office in which he won two Olympic Games for his country and left a series of opponents.
The hip injury prevented the 71-year-old from standing at the COA’s annual general meeting in Sydney, and he was filled with emotion at the end of his latest presidential speech as he thanked Australians for the opportunity to make their dreams come true.
In all other respects, however, Coates was in control, warming up in the heat of a room of sports officials who benefited from his power and influence on the world stage. Among them was the president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, who sat next to his right hand.
As Bach’s alipores for Tokyo, Coates played a critical role in helping Japan resume the Games after their one-year postponement due to COVID-19.
“We did something together that hadn’t been done before, and honestly, something that a lot of people didn’t think we could do,” Bach told Coates.
Ian Chesterman replaced Coates as President of the AOC after defeating a rival candidate. But Coates will remain a major power broker inside and outside the country.
His vice-president at the IOC lasts until the Paris 2024 Games, and he continues to serve on the IOC board of directors and on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games organizing committee.
Source: La Verdad
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