Sir Craig Reedie, Ex-WADA President and BOA Chair, Dies at 84

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-04-07

Sir Craig Reedie, a towering figure in global sports, passed away at the age of 84 on Monday, April 6, 2026. He served as the chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA) for more than a decade and later became the president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Born in Stirling, Scotland, on May 6, 1941, Reedie dedicated his long career to improving the Olympic Games and fighting for fair, clean sports. His death was confirmed by the British Olympic Association in a post on X, which highlighted his massive impact on the Olympic movement. Reedie played a vital role in bringing the 2012 Olympic Games to London and helped make badminton an official Olympic sport. His work touched millions of athletes and fans worldwide. This article explores his remarkable journey, from a competitive badminton player to one of the most respected leaders in international sports. ### A Life Dedicated to International Sport Reedie's journey in sports began as a competitive athlete. He played badminton at a high level during the 1960s, becoming a national doubles champion and representing Great Britain in international matches. But back then, badminton wasn't part of the Olympics. That didn't stop him. He started managing sports organizations, first leading the Scottish Badminton Union before moving into the international arena. In 1981, he became the president of the International Badminton Federation, a role he held until 1984. During his leadership, he campaigned tirelessly to get badminton into the Olympic Games. His efforts paid off when the first Olympic medals for badminton were awarded at the Barcelona Games in 1992. Because of his early work, millions of fans now watch badminton at the Olympics every four years. ### Leading the British Olympic Association Reedie became the chairman of the British Olympic Association in 1992. He led the BOA for 13 years, serving until 2005. This period was crucial for sports in the United Kingdom. In 1994, he became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), making him the first person from Britain to sit on the IOC board since 1961. One of his biggest achievements was helping London win the bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He worked closely with Sebastian Coe to convince the world that London was the best choice for the event. After London won the bid, Reedie served as a director on the London 2012 Organizing Committee. He watched as the city successfully hosted the Games, which brought pride to the entire country. ### Honors and Global Recognition The United Kingdom and the international community recognized Reedie's hard work many times. Here are some of the key honors he received: - **Commander of the British Empire (CBE)** in 1999 - **Knighthood** for services to sport in 2006 - **Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE)** in 2018, the rarest and highest honor in the UK - **Olympic Order** from the International Olympic Committee in 2023, celebrating his lifelong service to the Olympic movement These awards reflect his dedication and impact on sports at every level. ### Family and Tributes Sir Craig Reedie is survived by his wife, Lady Rosemary, his children Colin and Catriona, and his grandchildren. Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, described Rosemary and Craig as a "powerhouse couple" in global sports. Coe called Reedie a mentor and a distinguished elder statesman, adding that Reedie was "the epitome of a gentleman." He also mentioned that Reedie was a loyal friend who always spoke his mind clearly. Coe's tribute captured the essence of Reedie's character: a man who combined passion with integrity, and who always put the interests of athletes first. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations in the world of sports.