John Coates has staved off Danni Roche‘s challenge for the Australian Olympic Committee presidency, extending a record reign until 2021.
Coates, who turns 67 tomorrow, clinched victory after an acrimonious battle with Roche, 46, as the nation’s Olympic officials gathered in Sydney to vote.
Unchallenged since 1990, Coates received the majority support of the 33 summer and seven winter sports and the 13 members of the executive.
Coates will step down from International Olympic Council vice-presidency in four monthsbecause of term limits.
The vote, held at the Museum of Contemporary Arts in Circular Quay, marked a clash of generations.
Coates campaigned on the basis of unmatched international connections.
Roche paraded claims around making sport and athletes renewed priorities.
The AOC executive will receive a report from three retired judges into allegations of bullying on June 1.
The accusation was levelled against AOC media director Mike Tancred by former CEO Fiona de Jong.
Source: Herald Sun
