The Australian Olympic Committee has been saddened by the news of the passing of 1948 and 1952 Olympian John Treloar.

John Treloar was 84.

John was regarded as one of Australia’s greatest sprinters.

At the Helsinki Games in 1952, John qualified for the Olympic 100 yard final, finishing 6th.

Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates said the Olympic movement has lost a special man.

“John Treloar was a wonderful athlete, but an even greater man,” Coates said.

“As the 2012 team gathers in London, they do so with a heavy heart in the memory that one of the athletes who competed at the last London Games in 1948 has passed away.

“I saw John less than a fortnight ago at the reunion of the 1952 Helsinki team. He was greatly admired by that team, as he was by anyone he came into contact with.

“My thoughts, and those of the Australian Olympic Committee, are with his family at this difficult time.

John Treloar Jr, sent a message to the Australian Olympic Committee in London this morning.

It said simply – ‘Dad passed away exactly as he ran. Quickly’.

Apart from his two Olympic Games appearances, John Treloar won three gold medals at the 1950 Empire Games in Auckland, in the 100 and 200 yards, and the 4 x 100 relay.

Australian Olympic Committee