The President of the Australian Olympic Committee, John Coates warmly welcomed the verdict handed down late Thursday by the jury in his defamation proceeding against radio station 2GB and Alan Jones.

This proceeding arose as a result of statements made by Alan Jones on 8 and 9 December 2004 regarding the Sally Robbins incident in the final of the women’s eight rowing race at the Olympic Games in Athens.

“I am very pleased with the jury’s verdict and regard it as complete vindication. The jury has found I was defamed by Alan Jones despite his protestations and arguments to the contrary,” Mr Coates said.

“Of course, today’s hearing is not the conclusion of this matter and I look forward to the day when evidence will be given in court confirming my position and putting to rest, once and for all, the false claims against me concerning the Sally Robbins incident.”

Mr Coates today succeeded in the first step of his legal action against Mr Jones and radio station 2GB in the NSW Supreme Court.

Mr Jones' legal team will now launch defences to the defamation finding - to be heard before a judge at a date to be fixed.

AOC