MEN BEHIND BEST GAMES EVER" HONOURED BY THE AOC
May 17: Two of the key architects of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Michael Knight and David Richmond were among eight honorees to receive awards at the 2010 Annual General Meeting of the Australian Olympic Committee.
Knight and Richmond were presented with awards by the AOC President, John Coates, which said "in grateful appreciation of your contribution to the Australian Olympic Movement on the 10th Anniversary of the Sydney Olympic Games".
"Ten years on Sydney is still recognised as the best Games ever which highlights the vision, hard work and dedication both men showed during what was a frantic and at times stressful time in our lives," Coates said.
"Michael and David both had their critics but the end result and the legacy for all Australians vindicates some tough decisions they made. We needed people who could get the job done and they achieved the ultimate result."
Knight was the Minister for Olympics in the NSW Government from 1995 till 2001 and also Chair of the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG). At the conclusion of the Games he was awarded the gold Olympic Order.
Richmond ran the Olympic Co-Ordination Authority (OCA). They delivered the venues and facilities. They were responsible for economic planning, urban development and management of Homebush Bay. Richmond also reported to the NSW Government on expenditure. He too received the gold Olympic Order.
"Like Michael, Australia and the Olympic Movement owe David a great debt for what he achieved," Coates said. "David Richmond helped pull it all together."
Also honoured at today's meeting were Australian IOC members Kevan Gosper and Phil Coles who have 54 years and 50 years service respectively to the Olympic Movement.
Gosper, an Olympic silver medallist in athletics, was acknowledged for his "outstanding contribution to the Olympic Movement at the highest level" from 1956 to 2010.
Coles, a three-time Olympian in canoe/kayak was honoured "for loyalty to the Olympic Movement" from 1960 to 2010.
The Order of Merit was also presented to three members of the Australian Olympic Foundation (AOF) Investment Committee, Dr John Hewson, David Clarke, and John McIntosh. All three have provided invaluable advice and service to the AOF which has provided Australian Olympic athletes a total of $61.4m since 2001.
Michael Bushell, the CEO and principal of Sports Marketing and Management (SMAM) also received the Order of Merit. SMAM has raised over $110m for the Australian Olympic Team, the largest revenue per capita for any National Olympic Committee, globally.
Press Release issued by AOC