Kevan Gosper In His Own Words

Kevan Gosper In His Own Words Sun, 07 Jun 2026 11:10:05 -0400 http://patreon.com/TheSportsAmbassador en-us © 2026 Kevan Gosper In His Own Words yes Support this Podcast ef179660-283f-5daa-a21a-d526d3faeefc Kevan Gosper with Tracey Holmes serial false Kevan Gosper is a giant of Australian sport. From Olympic silver medalist to senior vice president of the International Olympic Committee, Gosper's journey coincided with some of the biggest geopolitical shifts in world history. Among his friends he counted statesmen such as former South African president Nelson Mandela, and US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. A leading role in the oversight committee for the Beijing 2008 Olympics brought unique challenges, but unafraid of controversy, and with a commitment to his personal values, Gosper brought the same strength of character to his Olympic positions as he did in his corporate life where he served as both chairman and CEO of Shell Australia. In this series of podcasts, Gosper shares his life journey - going all the way back to the arrival of the Gospers on a convict boat from England, through to his forecast for Brisbane 2032 and beyond, recorded just two weeks before his passing aged 90. Originally designed as a personal recording for his children and grand-children, Gosper agreed to publish them publicly as an historical record of his life in sport.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, sports, politics, business, IOC, World Athletics, Kevan Gosper with Tracey Holmes https://storage.buzzsprout.com/0awdtc9gsfejz3t54d2zmi594atu?.jpg Kevan Gosper In His Own Words http://patreon.com/TheSportsAmbassador Tracey Holmes Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | Final Reflections Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | Final Reflections This was the final episode, in which he reflects on his life, and one-time consideration of running for the Presidency of the IOC after Juan Antonio Samaranch, but was aware of the rise of former Olympic sailor Jacques Rogge from Belgium and Canadian Olympic swimmer Dick Pound who had both been touted as potential future Presidents in an era of significant change for the Olympic movement.

Kevan Gosper in his words began as a reflection on his life for his children and grandchildren, but such was the significance of his contribution to Australian, sports, corporate and Olympic life, he agreed for all episodes to be made public.

I hope you enjoyed listening as much as I enjoyed sitting with Kevan to record his life, in his own words.

Tracey.

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]]> This was the final episode, in which he reflects on his life, and one-time consideration of running for the Presidency of the IOC after Juan Antonio Samaranch, but was aware of the rise of former Olympic sailor Jacques Rogge from Belgium and Canadian Olympic swimmer Dick Pound who had both been touted as potential future Presidents in an era of significant change for the Olympic movement.

Kevan Gosper in his words began as a reflection on his life for his children and grandchildren, but such was the significance of his contribution to Australian, sports, corporate and Olympic life, he agreed for all episodes to be made public.

I hope you enjoyed listening as much as I enjoyed sitting with Kevan to record his life, in his own words.

Tracey.

Support the show

]]> Kevan Gosper with Tracey Holmes Buzzsprout-15440471 Sat, 20 Jul 2024 07:00:00 +1000 1823 Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, Munich massacre, Munich 1972, Israeli hostage crisis, sport business, politics, geopolitics 1 15 full false Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | London & the Championing of Seb Coe Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | London & the Championing of Seb Coe Gosper believes Lord Sebastian Coe, like him a former Olympic athlete, should be the next IOC President when the incumbent, Thomas Bach reaches the end of his term. Part of Coe's pedigree is his experience at every level of sport from athlete, to running the successful London 2012 Olympics, and president of international federation, World Athletics. But, there are numerous others in the wings. And is it ok, in 2024, 128 years after the inaugural modern Olympic Games, to pick another white caucasian male as president of the world Olympic body?

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]]> Gosper believes Lord Sebastian Coe, like him a former Olympic athlete, should be the next IOC President when the incumbent, Thomas Bach reaches the end of his term. Part of Coe's pedigree is his experience at every level of sport from athlete, to running the successful London 2012 Olympics, and president of international federation, World Athletics. But, there are numerous others in the wings. And is it ok, in 2024, 128 years after the inaugural modern Olympic Games, to pick another white caucasian male as president of the world Olympic body?

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]]> Kevan Gosper with Tracey Holmes Buzzsprout-15439939 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +1000 943 Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, Munich massacre, Munich 1972, Israeli hostage crisis, sport, business, politics, geopolitics, 1 14 full false Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | Beijing - Press Freedom & Human Rights Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | Beijing - Press Freedom & Human Rights Gosper's confidence takes a hit. He faces unexpected resistance when recommending John Coates as a future IOC member. Gosper unsuccessful in seeking another term on the executive board. He regains his momentum with his work on the coordination commission overseeing the Beijing 2008 Games. But there are challenges there too - human rights and press freedom hurdles.

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]]> Gosper's confidence takes a hit. He faces unexpected resistance when recommending John Coates as a future IOC member. Gosper unsuccessful in seeking another term on the executive board. He regains his momentum with his work on the coordination commission overseeing the Beijing 2008 Games. But there are challenges there too - human rights and press freedom hurdles.

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]]> Kevan Gosper with Tracey Holmes Buzzsprout-15439931 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +1000 1492 Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, Munich massacre, Munich 1972, Israeli hostage crisis, sport, business, politics, geopolitics, 1 13 full true Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | Scandals and Investigations Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | Scandals and Investigations North Korea threatens to upset the Seoul 1988 Olympics; Ben Johnson becomes the Olympics' biggest doping scandal; a corruption crisis engulfs the IOC; John Coates goes public with his offer of funding to two African NOCs in exchange for Sydney 2000 votes; and Gosper faces allegations himself.

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]]> North Korea threatens to upset the Seoul 1988 Olympics; Ben Johnson becomes the Olympics' biggest doping scandal; a corruption crisis engulfs the IOC; John Coates goes public with his offer of funding to two African NOCs in exchange for Sydney 2000 votes; and Gosper faces allegations himself.

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]]> Kevan Gosper with Tracey Holmes Buzzsprout-15439928 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +1000 2677 1 12 full false Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | Nelson Mandela & Sydney 2000 Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | Nelson Mandela & Sydney 2000 Gosper describes the period as the most remarkable in his life. As senior vice president of the IOC he attends the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as South Africa president. Sydney 2000 wins the right to host the games, expunging long term disappointment he had held since bungling his individual 400 metre race in Melbourne 1956. Gosper's loyalty is questioned, and political tensions between Australia's IOC members emerge.

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]]> Gosper describes the period as the most remarkable in his life. As senior vice president of the IOC he attends the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as South Africa president. Sydney 2000 wins the right to host the games, expunging long term disappointment he had held since bungling his individual 400 metre race in Melbourne 1956. Gosper's loyalty is questioned, and political tensions between Australia's IOC members emerge.

Support the show

]]> Kevan Gosper with Tracey Holmes Buzzsprout-15439925 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +1000 2130 Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, Munich massacre, Munich 1972, Israeli hostage crisis, sport, business, politics, geopolitics, 1 11 full false Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | The Boycott Era & Turbulent Times Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | The Boycott Era & Turbulent Times The 1980's mark 'some of the IOC's worst days,' according to Gosper. Australia's PM, Malcolm Fraser, sides with the US call to boycott Moscow 1980, the Australian Olympic Committee - and the public - are divided. Gosper sides with the PM, by the slimmest of margins Australia sends a team. Personally, Gosper deals with the tragic, sudden loss of his first wife, Gillian; weeks later, fellow Australian IOC member David McKenzie is murdered in Hawaii.

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]]> The 1980's mark 'some of the IOC's worst days,' according to Gosper. Australia's PM, Malcolm Fraser, sides with the US call to boycott Moscow 1980, the Australian Olympic Committee - and the public - are divided. Gosper sides with the PM, by the slimmest of margins Australia sends a team. Personally, Gosper deals with the tragic, sudden loss of his first wife, Gillian; weeks later, fellow Australian IOC member David McKenzie is murdered in Hawaii.

Support the show

]]> Kevan Gosper with Tracey Holmes Buzzsprout-15439923 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +1000 2389 Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, Munich massacre, Munich 1972, Israeli hostage crisis, sport, business, politics, geopolitics, 1 10 full false Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | The IOC Beckons Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | The IOC Beckons In his corporate life Gosper has to convince the marketplace that self-serve Shell petrol stations are the way to go. Significant change in the Olympic movement sees Gosper become an IOC member and president of Victorian Olympic Foundation, and is involved in putting together the first commercial deals where he puts together the first commercial arrangements. LA 1984 organisers change the Olympic movement for ever with full-blown commercialism.

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]]> In his corporate life Gosper has to convince the marketplace that self-serve Shell petrol stations are the way to go. Significant change in the Olympic movement sees Gosper become an IOC member and president of Victorian Olympic Foundation, and is involved in putting together the first commercial deals where he puts together the first commercial arrangements. LA 1984 organisers change the Olympic movement for ever with full-blown commercialism.

Support the show

]]> Kevan Gosper with Tracey Holmes Buzzsprout-15439917 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +1000 1999 Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, Munich massacre, Munich 1972, Israeli hostage crisis, sport, business, politics, geopolitics, 1 9 full false Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | From Oceania to Munich, The Games Must Go On Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | From Oceania to Munich, The Games Must Go On Gosper's corporate life with Shell sees him relocate to the Pacific where lifelong friendships are made and a commitment to developing sport in Pacific nations. Terrorism strikes at the Munich 1972 Olympics, a bungled rescue attempt of Israeli hostages ends in tragedy. 'The Games must go on' was a symbolic gesture of defiance by the IOC.

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]]> Gosper's corporate life with Shell sees him relocate to the Pacific where lifelong friendships are made and a commitment to developing sport in Pacific nations. Terrorism strikes at the Munich 1972 Olympics, a bungled rescue attempt of Israeli hostages ends in tragedy. 'The Games must go on' was a symbolic gesture of defiance by the IOC.

Support the show

]]> Kevan Gosper with Tracey Holmes Buzzsprout-15439912 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +1000 1985 Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, Munich massacre, Munich 1972, Israeli hostage crisis, sport, business, politics, geopolitics, 1 7 full false Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | Civil Rights & Independence Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | Civil Rights & Independence A theme emerges - Gosper's intense sense of duty and responsibility to his family, his corporation and his nation - all as the world goes through a significant period of civil rights changes. African states claim independence from their colonial masters, while in Australia, First Nations people are still not counted as citizens.

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]]> A theme emerges - Gosper's intense sense of duty and responsibility to his family, his corporation and his nation - all as the world goes through a significant period of civil rights changes. African states claim independence from their colonial masters, while in Australia, First Nations people are still not counted as citizens.

Support the show

]]> Kevan Gosper with Tracey Holmes Buzzsprout-15439904 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +1000 2167 Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, Munich massacre, Munich 1972, Israeli hostage crisis, sport, business, politics, geopolitics, 1 7 full false Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | An Extraordinary Experience Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | An Extraordinary Experience The start of a family, promotion in the Royal Australian Air Force, the start of a corporate life - a busy period for Gosper between his two Olympic games as an athlete, Melbourne 1956 and Rome 1960.

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]]> The start of a family, promotion in the Royal Australian Air Force, the start of a corporate life - a busy period for Gosper between his two Olympic games as an athlete, Melbourne 1956 and Rome 1960.

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]]> Kevan Gosper with Tracey Holmes Buzzsprout-15440228 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 22:00:00 +1000 2013 Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, Munich massacre, Munich 1972, Israeli hostage crisis, sport, business, politics, geopolitics, 1 6 full false Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | A Bittersweet Olympics Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | A Bittersweet Olympics In this episode, perseverance emerges as one of Kevan’s strengths, and we see the beginning of an interest in politics. Becoming the #1 400m runner in the World, and the bittersweet experience of becoming an Olympian, in Melbourne in 1956.

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]]> In this episode, perseverance emerges as one of Kevan’s strengths, and we see the beginning of an interest in politics. Becoming the #1 400m runner in the World, and the bittersweet experience of becoming an Olympian, in Melbourne in 1956.

Support the show

]]> Tracey Buzzsprout-15439183 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 20:00:00 +1000 2158 Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, Munich massacre, Munich 1972, Israeli hostage crisis, sport business, politics, geopolitics 1 5 full false Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | 15,000 miles from everything Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | 15,000 miles from everything In this episode, Kevan talks about his life at a young scholarship student at Michigan State University, raising questions as to whether he had made the right decision. He speaks of the people he encountered and the experiences he shared with them in the USA during the early 1950s, which had lifelong consequences, including his first experience of being chosen to wear an Australian blazer.

Alternative Headers:

The Biggest Risk Reward Decision

"If You Work Hard Enough, You Can Get A Green Blazer"

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]]> In this episode, Kevan talks about his life at a young scholarship student at Michigan State University, raising questions as to whether he had made the right decision. He speaks of the people he encountered and the experiences he shared with them in the USA during the early 1950s, which had lifelong consequences, including his first experience of being chosen to wear an Australian blazer.

Alternative Headers:

The Biggest Risk Reward Decision

"If You Work Hard Enough, You Can Get A Green Blazer"

Support the show

]]> Tracey Buzzsprout-15439180 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 20:00:00 +1000 1889 Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, Munich massacre, Munich 1972, Israeli hostage crisis, sport business, politics, geopolitics 1 4 full false Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | Sports Opportunities Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | Sports Opportunities In this episode, Kevan talks about his discovery of his athletic ability and the impact of sport on his life. Plus, the recognition of those who most influenced his early decisions and some tough choices when the love of home and family is positioned against the opportunity for further education and athletic training.

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]]> In this episode, Kevan talks about his discovery of his athletic ability and the impact of sport on his life. Plus, the recognition of those who most influenced his early decisions and some tough choices when the love of home and family is positioned against the opportunity for further education and athletic training.

Support the show

]]> Tracey Buzzsprout-15439174 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 19:00:00 +1000 1531 Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, Munich massacre, Munich 1972, Israeli hostage crisis, sport business, politics, geopolitics 1 3 full false Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | The Gosper Beginnings Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | The Gosper Beginnings In this episode, Kevan discusses the story of the Gospers and how they arrived in Australia, being a young Caucasian child growing up in the suburbs at the time of a World War, and how yesterday’s experiences offer insights to today’s challenges.

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]]> In this episode, Kevan discusses the story of the Gospers and how they arrived in Australia, being a young Caucasian child growing up in the suburbs at the time of a World War, and how yesterday’s experiences offer insights to today’s challenges.

Support the show

]]> Tracey Buzzsprout-15439173 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 19:00:00 +1000 2213 Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, Munich massacre, Munich 1972, Israeli hostage crisis, sport business, politics, geopolitics 1 2 full false Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | Last Chapter, First Kevan Gosper In His Own Words | Last Chapter, First Kevan Gosper spent much of his life in Olympic circles, rising to the position of IOC Senior Vice President. His time in the movement coincided with some of the world’s biggest geopolitical shifts: the Cold War boycott era, the end of apartheid in South Africa, the rise of China, the shift from amateurism to professionalism, and the growth of what was to become the most recognised symbol on the planet, the Olympic Rings.

Amongst his friends, he counted political luminaries, such as former South African President Nelson Mandela and former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Sadly, on July 19, 2024, only days before his planned departure for Paris, he passed away on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast with his wife Judy and daughter Sophie by his side.

Only weeks before, I sat down with him to record the last in a series of podcasts called ‘Kevan Gosper In His Own Words’. It was a project we started during COVID for him to document his own extraordinary story for his children and grandchildren. But I convinced him that they should be made available to the National Archives of Australia, such was the significance of his contribution to sport, the Olympics and corporate life.

As you will hear unfold, the podcast conversations took on a life of their own. Kevan provides a kaleidoscopic lens to life and its roller coaster ride. Before going back to where it all began for the Gospers, on a convict ship from England, Kevan looks briefly to the future and the Olympic Games place in it, with a warning to those now in charge of the biggest show on earth.

This was the final episode, in which he reflects on his life, and one-time consideration of running for the Presidency of the IOC after Juan Antonio Samaranch, but was aware of the rise of former Olympic sailor Jacques Rogge from Belgium and Canadian Olympic swimmer Dick Pound who had both been touted as potential future Presidents in an era of significant change for the Olympic movement.

Welcome to the Final Podcast, First

Tracey Holmes

Support the show

]]> Kevan Gosper spent much of his life in Olympic circles, rising to the position of IOC Senior Vice President. His time in the movement coincided with some of the world’s biggest geopolitical shifts: the Cold War boycott era, the end of apartheid in South Africa, the rise of China, the shift from amateurism to professionalism, and the growth of what was to become the most recognised symbol on the planet, the Olympic Rings.

Amongst his friends, he counted political luminaries, such as former South African President Nelson Mandela and former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Sadly, on July 19, 2024, only days before his planned departure for Paris, he passed away on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast with his wife Judy and daughter Sophie by his side.

Only weeks before, I sat down with him to record the last in a series of podcasts called ‘Kevan Gosper In His Own Words’. It was a project we started during COVID for him to document his own extraordinary story for his children and grandchildren. But I convinced him that they should be made available to the National Archives of Australia, such was the significance of his contribution to sport, the Olympics and corporate life.

As you will hear unfold, the podcast conversations took on a life of their own. Kevan provides a kaleidoscopic lens to life and its roller coaster ride. Before going back to where it all began for the Gospers, on a convict ship from England, Kevan looks briefly to the future and the Olympic Games place in it, with a warning to those now in charge of the biggest show on earth.

This was the final episode, in which he reflects on his life, and one-time consideration of running for the Presidency of the IOC after Juan Antonio Samaranch, but was aware of the rise of former Olympic sailor Jacques Rogge from Belgium and Canadian Olympic swimmer Dick Pound who had both been touted as potential future Presidents in an era of significant change for the Olympic movement.

Welcome to the Final Podcast, First

Tracey Holmes

Support the show

]]> Tracey Buzzsprout-15439152 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 19:00:00 +1000 1823 Olympics, Paris 2024, Brisbane 2032, Munich massacre, Munich 1972, Israeli hostage crisis, sport business, politics, geopolitics 1 1 full false