VALE – DR BRIAN SANDO

1936 - 2012

After a long battle against illness, Dr Brian Sando died at home in Adelaide, aged 76.

Dr Sando was a loyal servant of the AOC, acting as a medical official at seven Summer Olympic Games. His first Games campaign with the AOC was as a team doctor in 1980. He was a team doctor again in 1984 Los Angeles. At the 1988 Seoul, 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Games, Dr Sando was the Medical Director. He was then the doctor with the swimming section of the Australian Team at the Athens 2004 Games.

“Brian was quietly spoken, respected and just a lovely man,” London 2012 Deputy Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller said. “He was friendly, smiling and happy to help with anything. We acknowledge the tremendous contribution he made to the Olympic movement and sport and pass on our deepest sympathy to his family in Adelaide.”

Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1995 for his services to sports medicine, Dr Sando was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2001. In addition to his Olympic role and being team doctor for AFL side the Adelaide Crows, he also provided services to Australia's Davis Cup team, and was appointed chairman of the Australian Sports Drug Agency in 2000.