Peter Montgomery Retires from Australian Olympic Committee

(ATR) Peter Montgomery says he will retire as a vice president of the Australian Olympic Committee after more than 30 years with the sports body.

Montgomery, 66, said in a letter to the AOC that he needs to reprioritize and cut back on his many commitments, according to a release from the AOC. Montgomery demurred on further comment to ATR saying "I have always scrupulously avoided personal comment".

A four time Olympian in water polo beginning in 1972, Montgomery began his official association with the AOC as chair of its first athletes commission in 1984. From 1988 to 1999 he was also a member of the IOC Athletes Commission. Montgomery was the first president of the World Olympians Association.

Besides his volunteer service to the AOC, Montgomery is a solicitor who has a number of business interests such as a golf course resort on the northern coast of New South Wales.

"The Olympic Movement in Australia has lost a stalwart, a four-time Olympian in water polo, who has given so much back in his service to the AOC and to sport in general," says AOC President John Coates in a statement.

"As a solicitor and astute businessman, Peter has made a most significant contribution to the financial strength of the AOC and the AOF which has benefited many Olympians past and present" Coates said. "He has always provided sound advice in a host of honorary positions he has held over the years. Peter’s wise counsel and generosity will be sadly missed, everyone wishes him well".

Written by Ed Hula.

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