Sir Craig Reedie, an influential Olympic and anti-doping figure, has died at ‌the age of 84, World Athletics has announced.

A ‌former international badminton player, Reedie competed for Great Britain before ‌turning his attention to sports administration, where he went on to play a central role on the global stage.

He served as president of the World ‌Anti-Doping Agency, ‌chaired ⁠the British Olympic Association and was a vice president of the International Olympic Committee.

Reedie played key roles in London’s unexpected win in bidding to host the 2012 Olympics and in getting his own sport badminton on to the Olympic program for the 1992 Barcelona Games.

“Craig was a sportsman at heart, but he had the mind and tenacity of a politician. He was equal ⁠parts opinionated, wise, canny, ‌and, most of all, loyal to those who legitimately wanted to serve ‌sport,” World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said in a statement.

“He certainly did not suffer fools gladly, was authentic, and would speak his mind.

“He was laser-like in his directness, would go into ‌battle to defend what he believed was right, and was in the lead tank during every battle.

“And, on the rare occasions he was wrong, he would admit so, explain his position, and apologise.”

Scotsman Reedie was elected as an IOC member in 1994 and became an honorary member in 2021.

The IOC said their flag would fly at half-staff for three days at their headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.