SYDNEY, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) issued a statement on Friday mourning the death of Olympic silver medalist and former International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Kevan Gosper.
Gosper, 90, passed away on the morning of Friday after a short illness, according to the AOC.
"Kevan was one of the true giants of the Olympic movement, not just in Australia but globally. 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," said the AOC president Ian Chesterman.
Gosper competed at the 1956 and 1960 Olympics, winning a silver medal in the 4x400m relay at the Melbourne Games.
In his sports administration career, Gosper was the inaugural chairman of the Australian Institute of Sport from 1980 to 1985 and then served as former president of the Australian Olympic Federation, now known as the AOC, for a five-year term.
Gosper became an IOC member in June 1977 and resigned in December 2013, after which he was named an Honorary Member.
Chesterman pointed out that Gosper's impact in Australia was enormous as a former AOC president and a lifetime servant to sport in this country, while internationally his contribution was equally significant.
"He rose to the heights of the International Olympic Committee as an administrator having performed with distinction in his sport of athletics, a two-time Olympian who won a silver medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games," Chesterman said.
He added, "Kevan's record of service is remarkable, having become an IOC member in 1977, he twice served as IOC Vice President and was also twice elected as a member of the IOC Executive. He was involved in some of the biggest decisions of his time."
Extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, Chesterman said that Gosper would be greatly missed. ■
