Head of the Australian Olympic Committee against the boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics

Sharing the perspectives of the AOC and International Olympic Committee (IOC), Coates said United Nations has expressed confidence in the power of sport to bring about social change - as is the Olympic vision. He cited IOC President Thomas Bach's remarks that "A boycott of the Olympic Games has never achieved anything" and said he agreed to that. Head of Australian Olympic Committee against boycott of Beijing Winter Olympic Games Coates said that having athletes from all the National Olympic Committees and from the IOC Refugee Olympic Team "united in competition, living together, exchanging opinions, sharing their life stories and…