Former Olympic powerbroker Kevan Gosper, one of Australia’s finest sports executives, died at the age of 90, the Australian Olympic Committee announced Friday.
Gosper, who served twice as vice-president of the International Olympic Committee and was twice elected to its executive board, died after a brief illness.
“Kevan was one of the true giants of the Olympic movement, not just in Australia but globally,” said Australian Olympic Committee president Ian Chesterman.
“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.”
Gosper was a two-time Olympic runner, competing in Melbourne in 1956 and Rome in 1960, and went on to have a successful career as a sports administrator.
He served as president of the Australian Olympic Committee from 1985 to 1990 before rising to prominence at the IOC, where he has been a member for 36 years.