Former Olympic official Kevan Gosper, one of Australia's leading sports administrators, has died at the age of 90, according to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), which is mourning the loss of what it called "a true giant of the Olympic movement".

Gosper, who served two terms as vice-president of the International Olympic Committee and was twice elected to its executive board, died after a short illness, the AOC said.

"Kevan was one of the true giants of the Olympic movement, not only in Australia but around the world," said AOC President Ian Chesterman.

"His loss will be felt enormously by so many of his friends who will be gathering in Paris for the Olympic Games. There will be so many there from around the world who will have heavy hearts today at the news of Kevan's passing," Chesterman said.

Commenting on the late official's work, Chesterman said: "Kevan's impact in Australia was enormous, as a former President of the AOC and a lifelong servant of sport in this country. But his contribution internationally has been equally significant.

Gosper was a two-time Olympic runner, competing in Melbourne in 1956, where he won a silver medal, and in Rome in 1960. He was a gold medallist at the 1954 Vancouver Commonwealth Games and went on to a distinguished career as a sports administrator.

He was President of the Australian Olympic Committee between 1985 and 1990 before taking on a prominent role within the IOC, serving as an IOC member for 36 years.

“Kevan’s record of service is remarkable, having become an IOC member in 1977, serving twice as IOC Vice President and also being elected twice as an IOC Executive Board member. He was involved in some of the most important decisions of his time,” highlighted the statement.

His work was important not only in Australia but across the continent, according to the AOC. “His role in leading the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) was something that brought him particular pleasure and his loss will be deeply felt by many of his friends in the Pacific.”

Among his main roles in his extensive career, he was a member of the IOC (1977–2013), of the IOC Executive Board (1986-1990, 1995-1999), and Chairman of the IOC Press Commission (1989-2013). He was also IOC Vice President during two periods (1990-1994, 1999-2003) and IOC Honorary Member (2013), among many other roles at the local, regional, and international levels.