London: Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG), paid tribute to two prominent sports journalists whose efforts helped increase the success of the Games.
Speaking to media members from across the world at the formal welcome ceremony at the London Games’ Main Press Centre (MPC) on Monday night, Lord Coe paid tribute to John Rodda and Steve Parry for their tremendous contribution to the Olympic Movement.
Rodda, who worked for the Guardian for more than 50 years, during which time he also served on the IOC Press Commission for 18 years, died in 2009. Parry was a former Reuters sports editor and another influential figure in Olympic media circles, working as media adviser to London’s bid to host the 2012 Games. He died in 2008.
In tribute to the pair, organisers have dedicated the ‘John Rodda Press Workroom’ and the ‘Steve Parry Bar’ at the MPC in their memory.
“I had a massive admiration for both these gentlemen during their lifetime. I first met John in my late teens as an up-and-coming athlete, and he had already established himself as one of the finest sports writers of his generation. Most of us here think of him as a doyen of athletic sports writers with an astute observation of the Olympic movement,” Coe lauded.
“Steve Parry too helped us shape our bid during those early days and for this we are forever grateful.”
