Craig Reedie
Encyclopedia
Sir Craig Reedie, CBE
(born 6 May 1941) is a British
sports administrator, noteworthy as a former Chairman of the British Olympic Association
(1992–2005) and still a serving representative on the International Olympic Committee
.
, in Scotland
, in 1941. He was educated at Stirling High School
and the University of Glasgow
. He gained his Master of Arts
(MA) in 1962 and then studied for a Bachelor of Laws
(LLB) degree in 1964, still at the University of Glasgow.
In 2001 his life's achievements were recognised with a Doctorate
from the University of Glasgow, and in 2005 Scotland's oldest university, the University of St Andrews
.
made him a Doctor of Law
(LLD).
In his professional career, Reedie was a partner in a Scottish Independent Financial Advisory
company.
He is married with two children.
Unusually, given his years of work in London, he still has a home in his native Scotland.
from 1962 to 1970, culminating in becoming a doubles champion. At the time, badminton was not recognised as an Olympic
sport, a situation his influence was able to remedy in 1985, leading to the first medals being awarded at the 1992 Summer Olympics
.
After his success as a player, Reedie turned his efforts towards sports administration and from 1981 to 1984 he was President of the International Badminton Federation
(IBF). In 1992, he became the Chairman of the British Olympic Association
(BOA), serving in that capacity for more than a decade, and for which role he was knighted on retiring in 2005. In 1994, in addition to his British role, Reedie joined the International Olympic Committee
(IOC), where he is currently one of three United Kingdom representatives, the others being HRH the Princess Royal
and Sir Philip Craven
.
In addition to his post on the IOC, Reedie is also on the board of the London 2012 Organising Committee, the body preparing for the 2012 Summer Olympics
in London. Reedie will also serve on the Evaluation Commission for the bids for the 2016 Summer Olympics
.
In 2008, Reedie hoped to gain admission to the Executive Board of the IOC, the supreme body of the Olympic
movement. This was considered essential, in view of the need for smooth communication between the London 2012 organisation and the decision-making authorities of the IOC. He stepped down from one vacancy to ensure there would be at least one female representative at the 'top table' and was then ranged against a candidate viewed as a potential IOC President for the second vacancy. It is believed Sir Craig will stand again when the next vacancies occur, in 2009.
On 9 October 2009,at the 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen,after two previous failed attempts, Reedie was elected to the International Olympic Committee's Executive Board. He will be the first Briton to have a seat on the board since 1961.
The standing of Scotland
within the United Kingdom
and the relative status of the dual identity
is a live issue on both sides of the border and as the Scottish former head of the British Olympic Association
has clearly navigated these difficult waters with considerable aplomb himself, his opinions on such matters have considerable influence.
2012 will be the third occasion that the United Kingdom has hosted the Olympics, with the host city for all three occasions being London. This raises the issue of the extent to which the 2012 Games in London will benefit Scotland and the English regions.The presence of a Scot at the heart of London's 2012 Committee deflects some of the apparent stranglehold ('the metropolitan
bias') of London and the South-East on the UK sporting and political institutions.
In addition to being a representative of the UK, his presence on international bodies is seen as providing both a representative for Scotland on such international bodies and a true representative of Scotland.
Outside of the UK,the esteem in which Reedie is held as an international delegate in sports administration attests to his diplomatic skills, experience and determination.
, in the rank of Commander, giving him the post-nominal letters
CBE.
In 2006 he gained further recognition, with the award of a knighthood from the Queen, since when his formal title has become: Sir Craig Reedie, CBE.
Reedie is to be awarded with an Honorary Degree by the University of Lincoln
in the 2010 Graduation ceremonies.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 6 May 1941) is a British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
sports administrator, noteworthy as a former Chairman of the British Olympic Association
British Olympic Association
The British Olympic Association is the national Olympic committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It was formed in 1905 in the House of Commons, and at that time consisted of seven national governing body members from the following sports: fencing, life-saving, cycling, skating, rowing,...
(1992–2005) and still a serving representative on the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
.
Background
Reedie was born in StirlingStirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
, in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, in 1941. He was educated at Stirling High School
Stirling High School
Stirling High School is a state high school for 11-18 year olds run by Stirling Council in Stirling, Scotland. It is one of seven high schools in the Stirling district, and currently has approximately 972 pupils attending...
and the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
. He gained his Master of Arts
Master of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
(MA) in 1962 and then studied for a Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
(LLB) degree in 1964, still at the University of Glasgow.
In 2001 his life's achievements were recognised with a Doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
from the University of Glasgow, and in 2005 Scotland's oldest university, the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
.
made him a Doctor of Law
Doctor of law
Doctor of Law or Doctor of Laws is a doctoral degree in law. The application of the term varies from country to country, and includes degrees such as the LL.D., Ph.D., J.D., J.S.D., and Dr. iur.-Argentina:...
(LLD).
In his professional career, Reedie was a partner in a Scottish Independent Financial Advisory
Independent Financial Adviser
Independent Financial Advisers or IFAs are professionals who offer independent advice on financial matters to their clients and recommend suitable financial products from the whole of the market...
company.
He is married with two children.
Unusually, given his years of work in London, he still has a home in his native Scotland.
Sports administration
In his sporting life, Reedie gained success playing badmintonBadminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
from 1962 to 1970, culminating in becoming a doubles champion. At the time, badminton was not recognised as an Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
sport, a situation his influence was able to remedy in 1985, leading to the first medals being awarded at the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
.
After his success as a player, Reedie turned his efforts towards sports administration and from 1981 to 1984 he was President of the International Badminton Federation
International Badminton Federation
The Badminton World Federation is the international governing body for the sport of badminton. Founded in 1934 as the International Badminton Federation with nine member nations , the BWF has since expanded to 165 member nations around the world...
(IBF). In 1992, he became the Chairman of the British Olympic Association
British Olympic Association
The British Olympic Association is the national Olympic committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It was formed in 1905 in the House of Commons, and at that time consisted of seven national governing body members from the following sports: fencing, life-saving, cycling, skating, rowing,...
(BOA), serving in that capacity for more than a decade, and for which role he was knighted on retiring in 2005. In 1994, in addition to his British role, Reedie joined the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
(IOC), where he is currently one of three United Kingdom representatives, the others being HRH the Princess Royal
Anne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
and Sir Philip Craven
Philip Craven
Sir Philip Craven MBE is a British sports official and former athlete. He is the second and current President of the International Paralympic Committee .-Education:...
.
In addition to his post on the IOC, Reedie is also on the board of the London 2012 Organising Committee, the body preparing for the 2012 Summer Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
in London. Reedie will also serve on the Evaluation Commission for the bids for the 2016 Summer Olympics
2016 Summer Olympics
The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, are a major international multi-sport event to be celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games, as governed by the International Olympic Committee...
.
In 2008, Reedie hoped to gain admission to the Executive Board of the IOC, the supreme body of the Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
movement. This was considered essential, in view of the need for smooth communication between the London 2012 organisation and the decision-making authorities of the IOC. He stepped down from one vacancy to ensure there would be at least one female representative at the 'top table' and was then ranged against a candidate viewed as a potential IOC President for the second vacancy. It is believed Sir Craig will stand again when the next vacancies occur, in 2009.
On 9 October 2009,at the 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen,after two previous failed attempts, Reedie was elected to the International Olympic Committee's Executive Board. He will be the first Briton to have a seat on the board since 1961.
Scotland and the politics of sport
Reedie's successes 'south of the border', whilst possessing an unimpeachably Scottish identity, are an important factor in the politics of sport within the United Kingdom.The standing of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
within the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and the relative status of the dual identity
Dual identity
Dual identity can refer to:* A secret identity, such as Clark Kent and Superman* In mathematics, the coidentity of a dual group object or the counit of a coalgebra...
is a live issue on both sides of the border and as the Scottish former head of the British Olympic Association
British Olympic Association
The British Olympic Association is the national Olympic committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It was formed in 1905 in the House of Commons, and at that time consisted of seven national governing body members from the following sports: fencing, life-saving, cycling, skating, rowing,...
has clearly navigated these difficult waters with considerable aplomb himself, his opinions on such matters have considerable influence.
2012 will be the third occasion that the United Kingdom has hosted the Olympics, with the host city for all three occasions being London. This raises the issue of the extent to which the 2012 Games in London will benefit Scotland and the English regions.The presence of a Scot at the heart of London's 2012 Committee deflects some of the apparent stranglehold ('the metropolitan
Metropolis
A metropolis is a very large city or urban area which is a significant economic, political and cultural center for a country or region, and an important hub for regional or international connections and communications...
bias') of London and the South-East on the UK sporting and political institutions.
In addition to being a representative of the UK, his presence on international bodies is seen as providing both a representative for Scotland on such international bodies and a true representative of Scotland.
Outside of the UK,the esteem in which Reedie is held as an international delegate in sports administration attests to his diplomatic skills, experience and determination.
Honours
Reedie is a member of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, in the rank of Commander, giving him the post-nominal letters
Post-nominal letters
Post-nominal letters, also called post-nominal initials, post-nominal titles or designatory letters, are letters placed after the name of a person to indicate that the individual holds a position, educational degree, accreditation, office, or honour. An individual may use several different sets of...
CBE.
In 2006 he gained further recognition, with the award of a knighthood from the Queen, since when his formal title has become: Sir Craig Reedie, CBE.
Reedie is to be awarded with an Honorary Degree by the University of Lincoln
University of Lincoln
The University of Lincoln is an English university founded in 1992, with origins tracing back to the foundation and association with the Hull School of Art 1861....
in the 2010 Graduation ceremonies.