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Phillip W. Coles Collection

Phillip W. Coles AM OLY is a distinguished figure in the world of sports and Olympism, with a remarkable career spanning over five decades. Born with an unyielding passion for athletics, Phillip made his mark as an elite athlete in canoeing, representing Australia in the Olympics at the 1960 Rome Games, where he captained his team in 1964 and 1968. His competitive spirit and dedication earned him a legacy as a champion in both canoeing and surf lifesaving, where he won numerous national titles.

 

Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Phillip's influence on sport administration is profound. His extensive involvement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) began in 1982 when he became a member, a role he held until 2013, after which he was honored as a lifetime member. His leadership was instrumental as he served on various IOC commissions, including Marketing, Radio & Television, and Sport for All. Phillip also played a pivotal role in the Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) from 1993 to 1999, contributing to Australia's successful hosting of the 2000 Olympics.

 

Phillip's dedication to promoting sport extends to his roles as the inaugural Chairman of the NSW Institute of Sport and as Vice President of the World Taekwondo Federation. His commitment to enhancing sporting opportunities has earned him numerous accolades, including being inducted into the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame and receiving the prestigious Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

 

Throughout his illustrious career, Phillip has attended 14 Summer and 9 Winter Olympic Games, further solidifying his status as a pillar of the Olympic movement. His legacy is enriched by his involvement in various sporting organizations and his relentless pursuit of excellence in athletics and administration.

 

Today, Phillip W. Coles's collection of Olympic memorabilia serves as a testament to his extraordinary journey, celebrating the spirit of the Games and the values of friendship, respect, and excellence. This collection reflects not only his personal history but also the rich tapestry of Olympic heritage, making it a remarkable addition for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

 

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RESPONSIBILITIES

International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member in Australia, 1982 -2013

International Olympic Committee (IOC) lifetime Honorary Member,2013 -2023

Chairman, NSW Institute of Sport, (inaugural Chairman) 1995 - 2015

Vice President World Taekwondo Federation, 2008 - 2013  Hon VP  2013 - 2023

President Oceania Taekwondo Union 2007 -2015

Patron - Australian Triathlon Union, 1993 - 2023

Director, International Relations, Australian Olympic Committee, 1993 - 1999

Director, Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, 1993 - 1999

Member, Executive Board, Australian Olympic Committee, 1973 - 2013

Member, IOC Radio & Television Commission, 1993 -2013

Member, IOC Marketing Commission, 1995 -2013

Member IOC Sport for All commission, 2007- 2013

Secretary General, International Triathlon Union, 1994 - 2000

Executive Board Oceania National Olympic Committees, 1991 -2013 (Foundation Member)

Board Member Australian Sports Drug Agency, 1996 - 1998 (ASDA)

Vice President, Australian Luge Association, 1991 - 1994

Member of SOCOG Sports Commission 1994 - 1999

Member of SOCOG SOBO (Sydney Host Broadcasting Committee) 1994 - 1999

Member of SOCOG, Athletes Village Sub-Committee 1994 - 1999

Chairman, Torch Relay SOCOG 1994 - 1999

 

OLYMPIC GAMES ATTENDED - 14 Summer; 9 Winter -54 years of Olympic Service

Summer

2020(1)Tokyo IOC Member (Honorary)

2016 Rio de Janeiro   IOC Member (Honorary)

2012 London IOC Member

2008 Beijing IOC Member

2004 Athens IOC Member

2000 Sydney IOC Member

1996 Atlanta IOC Member

1992 Barcelona IOC Member

1988 Seoul IOC Member

1984 Los Angeles IOC Member

1980 Moscow General Manager/Chef de Mission

1976 Montreal Assistant General Manager

1972 Munich Manager/Coach - Canoeing

1968 Mexico City Competitor - Canoeing

1964 Tokyo Competitor (Captain) - Canoeing

1960 Rome Competitor - Canoeing

 

Winter

2016 Pyeong Chang IOC Member (Honorary)

2014 Sochi IOC Member (Honorary)

2010 Vancouver IOC Member

2006 Torino IOC Member

2002 Salt Lake City IOC Member

1998 Nagano IOC Member

1994 Lillehammer IOC Member

1992 Albertville IOC Member

1988 Calgary IOC Member

1984 Sarajevo IOC Member

 

SURF & KAYAK

Winner 25 National Canoe Championships 1960 - 1970

Winner 5 National Championships Surf Ski, 1956 - 1969

Captain, first Australian  Surf Lifesaving Team Tour to USA, 1965

Winner Sydney Blue Water Classic, Manly-Mosman 1962

Winner Coogee Marathon, 1957,58,59

 

ADMINISTRATION

Bobsleigh Coordinator (Olympic Games) - 1994

Canoeing Co-ordinator (Olympic Games) 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996

Solidarity Commission - 1987 -1994

Radio Commission 1984 - 1987

Appointed IOC Member in Australia - 1992

Member Ad Hoc Committee - Olympic Sports Program 1996

 

Australian Olympic Federation/Committee

Secretary general - 1985 - 1993

Chairman, Constitution Commission - 1981-1983; Member 1983-1985

Chairman, Medical Commission (Foundation Chairman) 1981-1985

Member, Justification/Eligibility Commission, 1981 - 1985

Member, Delegation ANOC & Olympic Congress (Baden Baden) 1981

Member, Delegation to ANOC (Abidjan) 1977

Delegate to numerous international Conferences

 

Candidate Cities - Olympic Games

Director, Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, 1993 -1999

Member, Executive Board, Sydney Olympic Bid (2000 Games), 1991 - 1993

Member, Executive Board, Melbourne Bid (1996 Games), 1988-90

Member, Executive Board, Brisbane Bid (1992 Games), 1984-86

Member, Feasibility Study Committee Sydney (1988 Games), 1978

 

Government

Chairman, NSW Sports House Advisory Committee, 1978 - 1998

Member, Australian Sports Commission, (inaugural), 1984-87; 1989-91

Member, NSW Govt. International Sports Facilities Committee, 1989

Member, NSW Govt State Sports Centre Trust (Homebush), 1983

Member NSW Division/Aust. Bicentennial Authority (sport) 1986-88

Member, MLC Junior Sports Foundation Board

Alderman, Waverley Municipal Council 1971-74


 

Olympians Association of Australia

Founder (NSW Division)

 

 

NSW Olympic Council

Olympic Games National Fund-raising Committees, 1976/84/88

Honorary Secretary General, 1973-85

 

Canoeing

Delegate to International Canoes Federation Congress 1972,74,78

Honorary Secretary, Australia Canoe Federation, 1970-73

Canoeing Delegate to Australian Olympic Federation 1969-79

Canoeing Delegate to NSW Olympic Council 1965-75


 

Surf Life Saving

Honorary Publicity and PR Officer, Nat. Council SLSA of Australia 1970-75

Introduced Coaching Advisory Panel Programme (CAP) to Board

    (coaching programmes implemented Nation-wide)

Member, North Bondi SLSC, 1949 (Award for ten years beach service without missing a patrol)

Beach Patrol Captain - North Bondi SLSC, 1950-60

Awarded 50 year service medallion 1999

 

 

AWARDS and HONOURS

Citation of Knight in the Order of Lifesaving -  South Africa 1996

"A Top 25 All-time Surfing Great" - named in official SLSA publication -

  'Gold, Silver, Bronze', - 1994

Key to the City of Sydney awarded for role in successful bid -  Sydney Olympics 2000, 1993

Australian Sporting Hall of Fame inducted in 1993 for services to Olympism in Australia.

'Fair Play Award', awarded by the 'International Committee for Fair Play in Sport', 1993

Member of the Order of Australia (AM), General Division.  1983, - service to sport.

Administrator of the Year.  Australian Sports Awards 1980

NSW Sporting Hall of Fame.  Inducted 1978

Life Member - Australian Canoe Federation

Life Member - NSW Olympic Council

Life Member - Australian Olympic Committee 1994

Life Member - International Olympic committee - 2013


 

PUBLICATIONS

'Handbook for Managers of International Sporting Teams' - 1980

 

FURTHER INITIATIVES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Achieved IOC Patronage for 'City to Surf' ($US10,000 grant), 1990

Designed existing Australian Olympic Committee Marketing Logo, 1992,93

Designed Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) Emblem, 1988

Established ONOC Olympic Academy(Bringing together all Olympic Nations of Pacific), 1987

Inaugurated Australian Olympic Committee Academies (AOC), 1983 - (after visit to Olympia)

Organised first attempt by AOC of 'Forward Planning Commission'

Foundation NSW 'Olympians Association' 1976

Chef de Mission / General Manager - Olympic Team 1980 Moscow (defied boycott call making Australia and Greek the only two countries to compete in ALL modern Olympics))

 

CLUBS

North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club

Bronte Surf Life Saving Club

City Tattersall's Club

Carbine Club (NSW)

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia