John Coates has been re-elected unopposed as President of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) a position he has held for 19 years.

The vote at the Annual General Meeting of the AOC in Sydney involved delegates of all summer and winter Olympic sports.

Coates’ address focused on standards of behaviour expected from Olympic athletes and he urged all his member sports to take steps to protect “the excellent reputation established by past Olympians”.

In 2008 the AOC introduced new rules stipulating Olympic Team members must disclose convictions or charges of any serious offence involving alcohol or drugs or any sex offence or any offence which is punishable by imprisonment. Under the new rules athletes must also consent to the AOC conducting criminal record checks.

The same rules apply for coaches and other officials on the Australian Olympic Team.

Coates told delegates, “representing our nation at an Olympic Games is an honour and a privilege which carries with it responsibilities and so should representation in your sports at World Championships and other international competitions”.

“I encourage you, as leaders of your respective sports, to review the changes we have made and consider adopting similar standards for your teams”.

AOC