Hockey Australia President Melanie Woosnam has expressed her well wishes to Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates after he was elected Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Mr Coates’ appointment is his second stint in the role. He previously held down the position from 2013 to 2017.

“On behalf of the Board of Hockey Australia and the wider hockey Australian community, we congratulate John Coates on being elected Vice President of the IOC,” said Woosnam.

“John continues to provide outstanding support to the Olympic movement and we acknowledge the continued commitment that he makes to expanding the positive impact of the Olympics globally as well as in Australia.”

“As Chair of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Coordination Commission among other positions he holds down, John continues to have a significant influence in Olympic matters during these uncertain times, so we are delighted to see him elected as IOC Vice-President and are sure he will do an excellent job.”

Mr Coates was one of two new Vice-Presidents elected by IOC Members, along with IOC Member in Singapore Ng Ser Miang.

Mr Coates four-year term as Vic-President sees him returned to the IOC Executive Board, which consists of the IOC President, four Vice-Presidents and ten other elected members.