AOC president John Coates will be sitting at the top table at the International Olympic Committee in future following his elevation to the IOC Executive Board, one of the most powerful positions in world sport.

Coates won a place on the 15- member Board in an election held at the 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen today.

Coates, 59, has been a member of the IOC since 2001 and is a member of several key IOC committees. He currently sits on the TV Rights and New Media, Juridical and the London 2012 Co-ordination Commissions.

“I am greatly honoured and I understand the responsibilities that come with the office and will continue to serve the Movement faithfully,” Coates said.

Kevan Gosper is the only other Australian to reach the Executive level within the IOC. He spent 17 years on the Executive Board and 8 years as IOC Vice President.

Gosper paid tribute to his colleague today.

”This is most deserving result. John Coates is not only an outstanding national sports leader but is also highly respected within the international sports community,” Gosper said.

Coates has led the Australian Olympic Committee since 1991 and has led the Australian Olympic Team as Chef de Mission for the past six Summer Olympic Games.

His Olympic career stretches back to the 1976 Montreal Games where he was the Section Manager for Rowing. Coates also played a key role in the Sydney 2000 Olympics serving as Senior Vice President on the Sydney Organising Committee (SOCOG) and he was Vice President of the Sydney Bid Committee.

The IOC recognised his contribution to the “best games ever” by awarding him the Olympic Order in gold at the closing ceremony of the Sydney Games.

In 2006 he was appointed to the country’s highest civilian honour as a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AC) “for service to the development of sport nationally and internationally through the Olympic movement.'

There were five candidates for two positions on the Executive Board. The list included Sir Craig Reedie of Great Britain, Patrick Hickey of Ireland, Samih Moudallal of Syria, C K Wu of Chinese Taipei and Coates.

The second position was won by Sir Craig Reedie a key player in the organisation of the London Olympics.

IOC President Jacques Rogge was re-elected unopposed for his final four-year term.

Mike Tancred - AOC
Copenhagen