John Coates elected IOC Vice President, Kevan Gosper awarded the Olympic Order

Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates has officially been elected as a Vice President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), becoming only the second Australian to hold such a position.

Coates was unopposed after Sami Moudallah from Syria withdrew from the race yesterday (10th September). The official vote was 70 votes to 12 in favour.

Speaking from the 125th Session of the IOC in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Coates thanked Moudallah and the IOC members for their confidence in him, stating "thank you for your support and I look forward to serving you in this new capacity and supporting the new President in his role."

Coates will remain the President of the AOC and of Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The Australian 63-year-old joined the IOC in 2001 after playing a key role in winning and then staging the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

It was a remarkable day for Australian sport as on the same day senior IOC Member Kevan Gosper was honoured with an Olympic Order.

Gosper, Australia's most senior IOC member was been awarded the Olympic Order in silver.

The IOC paid tribute to Gosper for his 36 years of commitment to the Olympic Movement, presenting the award at the 125th Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

A silver medallist in the 4 x 400 metre relay at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics he joined the IOC in 1977 and served two terms as a Vice President and also on the IOC Executive Board.

He has been Chairman of the IOC Press Commission for 20 years.

Gosper will reach the age of 80 in December, the IOC's retirement age for members, but he will then become an honorary member and "will remain active, but quietly".

For more information go to http://corporate.olympics.com.au/

Images: John Coates (top) and Kevan Gosper (below).