Ex-World Anti-Doping Agency President John Fahey dies at 75

John Fahey, a former president of World Anti-Doping ncy and a key player in getting 2000 Summer Olympics for Sydney, has died. He was 75.

New South Wales state government officials on Saturday confirmed Fahey's death, but gave details. Fahey was premier of New South Wales from 1992 to 1995. He later went into federal politics and served as a cabinet minister in government of Prime Minister John Howard.

Fahey retired from politics in 2001 shortly after being diagsed with lung cancer, and h one of his lungs removed.

He recovered and went on to become WA's second president, succeeding Dick Pound and serving from 2008-13.

Picton, New Zealand-born Fahey, a former top-flight rugby league player in Sydney, also was kwn for his big leap in air in 1993 when Sydney was confirmed as host of 2000 Olympics.

“Many of us would remember celebrations that immediately swept nation after Sydney was anunced as winner — and im of Mr. Fahey jumping for joy at news,” New South Wales state Premier Glys Berejiklian said.

Fahey was in Monte Carlo for 1993 anuncement and was standing next to bid chief Rod McGeoch.

When IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch anunced Sydney as winning bid, Fahey leapt out of his chair, turning to hug McGeoch.

“This is a very s day, particularly as we approach 20-year anniversary of Sydney Olympics,” Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates, who was also heavily involved in bid, said in a statement.

“Aside from all John’s considerable achievements in politics and personally, his contribution to Olympic movement in Australia was immense," Coates said. "His drive and commitment was absolutely crucial in Sydney winning bid ... and Australia owes him an ermous debt of gratitude for that alone.”

As he of international anti-doping ncy, he established partnerships with pharmaceutical industry and with law enforcement ncies, including INTERPOL, which increased WA's ability to identify and detect performance-enhancing substances.

“He brought a wealth of kwledge and experience in complex worlds of politics and sport to his role as president of WA and, as a bridge-builder, he executed duties of that position with fairness, diplomacy and integrity,” WA said in a statement.

WA director general Olivier Niggli described Fahey as a “marvelous president and an outstanding person.”

“He h very strong values and always acted in best interests of WA and clean sport,” Niggli said. “He felt strongly about making sure that partnership between all stakeholders worked well for system and athletes. He was a true leer, statesman and gentleman, and he will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and worked with him at WA.”

Berejiklian said Fahey's time in politics left a lasting legacy.

“Personally, I am grateful for John’s support and encourment,” she said in a statement. “He has always been a wonderful role model to generations ."

Fahey is also remembered for crash-tackling a student who fired blank shots at Prince Charles, eldest son of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, at Darling Harbour in Sydney in 1994.

“History will also remember him as a brave man, for his quick-thinking and selfless action to protect Prince Charles from an attack on Australia Day in 1994,” Berejiklian said.

Fahey is survived by his wife, Colleen, his children and grandchildren.

Berejiklian said a state memorial service has been offered to Fahey’s family.

Im credits: AP