Australian Olympic Committee AGM agenda confirms that John Coates will step down as President

Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates will step down from his long-held role at the body’s upcoming annual general meeting on 30th April.

Confirmation that the sometimes controversial Coates, who has been the AOC’s President since 1990, would be stepping down from the role was confirmed in the body’s annual report, released in advance of its AGM on 30th April.

Described as “milestone event” by the AOC, the AGM will see the election of a new President for the first time in 32 years, plus the election of two Vice Presidents along with seven Executive positions.

In addition to Coates, Helen Brownlee is stepping down as Vice President after 30 years of service to the AOC and Olympic movement in Australia and the Pacific.

Former Olympian, Mark Stockwell and Ian Chesterman, have nominated for President.

Matthew Allen and Evelyn Halls have nominated as Vice Presidents, while Mark Arbib, Alisa Camplin-Warner, Craig Carracher, Kitty Chiller, Michelle Cooper, Cath Fettell, Amy Jones, Michael Murphy and Elizabeth Scott have nominated for seven positions on the AOC Executive.

Coates, who was instrumental in Australia securing both Sydney 2000 and Brisbane 2032, and will remain a Vice President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has been made Honorary Life President of the AOC, which will be effective from the date he ceases to be an IOC Member following the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The position was created after constitutional amendments carried at the 2021 Annual General Meeting.

The role is honorary and carries no vote at the Executive or AGM.

Coates (pictured) will also remain on the of the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (BOCOG) where he is a Vice-President.