IMOGEN A . ROSE |
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In a very real sense , the quality of the IOC administration and its subsidiaries is intrinsically linked to the ability to successfully employ the power of sport . Coates believes that it is vital for the IOC to employ the ‘ highest corporate governance standards ’. |
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Significantly , Coates leads by example . He has shown strength and initiative by taking a pro-active stance regarding the issue of child abuse and child protection within sport . This includes pursuing all means to create an environment that not only seeks to prevent abuse of young athletes but that also establishes the trust necessary for victims to confidently disclose abuse . Furthermore , he has been similarly tough on issues of anti-doping and illegal betting . |
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Coates believes in the power of sport . Importantly , he has the character and drive to direct this energy toward great , even life-changing , ends . And this is one of the primary reasons why Coates is ideally suited to the role of AOC President and IOC Vice-President . Additionally , he has the intellect , communicative skills and the business acumen to navigate the international world of sports administration . |
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Photo courtesy of the International Olympic Committee |
were allowed to compete under the Olympic Flag in Rio as the first Refugee Olympic Team . He finds fulfilment in the faces of the children who smile , because they have found a reason to dream again through sport . In fact , research published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology indicates that child victims of political conflict and / or trauma , ‘ who participated in structured sporting activities reported feeling more hopeful about their futures ’.
Most recently , Coates has been involved in the preparation for Tokyo 2020 . One of the great purposes he says , ‘ is to provide some hope to the children who survived the Fukushima tragedy in 2011 ’.
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It is arguably in tragedy when the value of sport is most obvious . One of the greatest realities to emerge through the decision to award the next Olympic Games to Japan is the veritable joy and spirit of hope it has imbued throughout the country . Japan has embraced this opportunity with a sense of great honour .
Olympic gold medallist and Tokyo 2020 Executive Director of Sports , Koji Murofushi believes that sport ‘ has the power to create new dreams and bring people together – even in the most difficult of times ’. Like many Japanese Olympians , Murofushi has been working directly with the victims of Fukushima , encouraging them to find strength through sport .
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What is inescapable is that Coates truly understands sport . The IOC operates centrifugally , promoting and proliferating the power of sport . Its impact is far and wide . In fact , Olympism is an all-inclusive philosophy . Wherever individuals are involved in sport there is an obvious opportunity for physical , psychological and emotional benefits .
The power of sport is as significant in the schoolyard , the gym , the local pool or track , as it is to the gold medallist standing on the podium . The power of sport is that it can , and does , awaken hope . And when sport sparks the spirit , anything is possible !
Imogen A . Rose is a writer based in Brisbane . She is also a Director of Rose Media ( www . rosemedia . com . au ).
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OH ! MAGAZINE ( MAY 2017 ) 7 |