Sir Craig Reedie, the former chair of the British Olympic Association (BOA) and president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), has passed away at the age of 84.
Reedie led the BOA from 1992 to 2005, playing a pivotal role in London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He subsequently served as a director of the organising committee for the events.
He also held positions on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board from 2009 to 2012, and as its vice president from 2012 to 2016.
Dame Katherine Grainger, current chair of the BOA, paid tribute to Reedie’s lifelong dedication to sport:
"Few knew the Olympic movement better, and fewer still served it with such distinction. His efforts for both the BOA and WADA, and his commitment to clean sport, were extraordinary. He never let challenges diminish his passion for sport and the Olympic movement."
An accomplished athlete, Reedie represented Great Britain in badminton during the 1960s before leading the Scottish Badminton Union. He later served as president of the International Badminton Federation, overseeing the campaign to include badminton in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.
During his tenure at WADA from 2014 to 2019, Reedie oversaw some of sport’s most challenging periods, including the exposure of state-sponsored doping in Russia, resulting in the country’s athletes being banned from competing under their national flag.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said:
"Sir Craig dedicated his life to the Olympic Movement. He guided the global sporting community with integrity and resolve through some of its most difficult moments. His contributions to clean sport and athlete development will be felt for generations."
Reedie received numerous honours for his service to sport, including Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 1999, a knighthood in 2006, and elevation to Knight Grand Cross (GBE) in 2018. He was also awarded the Olympic Order in 2023 in recognition of his lifelong commitment to the Olympic movement.
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