Olympics tribute to Steve Parry

“We were saddened by the death of Steve Parry,” Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, said in a statement to Reuters. He sent the condolences of the Olympic movement to Parry’s family.

Parry, 64, sports editor from 1982 to 2000 and a member of the International Olympic Committee press commission during that time, died in hospital near London after a respiratory illness.

“He was my faithful barometer of bad news,” IOC press commission chairman Kevan Gosper said. “He was a great news man. He grew in my eyes as one of the most professional journalists in my experience. He understood the absolute need for integrity in reporting. He was admired by his journalist colleagues and a valued member of the IOC press commission. It’s a great personal loss and a great loss to his profession.”

Simon Haydon, The Associated Press’s international sports editor, said: “Steve was a clear-headed and firm editor who did not suffer fools gladly. Many a junior writer felt the rough edge of his tongue if an introduction failed to tell the story clearly. Officialdom often felt the full force of his blunt speaking if it stood in the way of his reporters.

“On the other hand, Steve could also show endless patience to help a reporter get the story written in the right way,” said Haydon, who worked under Parry at Reuters in the 1990s.

AP sports editor Terry Taylor said: “Steve was a formidable competitor and a terrific, effective advocate for all journalists who have covered Olympics. He was the voice of reason - and outrage on many occasions. We will miss him.”

Morley Myers of the Sports Journalists’ Association, said: “This sad news is a great loss to British sports journalism, as well as a huge personal loss for me.

“We worked very closely together in the late 60s and after I left Reuters we continued our friendship as we met at major sports events worldwide. In recent years Steve had worked very closely with the IOC and he promoted the cause of all sports journalists in helping to improve their working conditions at Olympic Games.”

In an official statement from the London 2012 Olympics organisers, a spokesman said: “Steve was involved with London 2012 from the early stages of the bid and played a major role in helping us bring the Games to London.

“His candid advice, expert knowledge and exceptional humour will be sorely missed by everyone connected to London 2012, and the wider Olympic family. We send our deepest sympathy to his family at this very sad time.“ ■