GENEVA, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Head of Media Operations and Chair of the Press Committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Anthony Edgar announced retirement from the IOC on Monday after an amazing Olympic journey.

"After 18 years I am leaving the IOC taking the opportunity of an early retirement to return to Sydney to be with my ailing father and my children," Edgar said in an announcement on his social media.

As Head of Media Operations, Edgar was responsible for managing the delivery of media facilities and services at the Olympic Games. He worked closely with Olympic Organizing Committees, National Olympic Committees, International Federations and the major news organizations such as the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Xinhua and publications such as Sports Illustrated and the New York Times.

Edgar started his media career with News Limited in 1984 and went on to work with numerous business, lifestyle and sport magazines.

Following the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, which Edgar covered as a journalist/photographer for a sports magazine, he was offered the opportunity to join the Sydney 2000 sport department, responsible for all sport content and publications for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"For a lover of the Olympic Games, I thought all my dreams had come true. This was surely the best gig in the entire world - the responsibility of interviewing, writing and photographing the greatest athletes in the world, Olympians past and present, for the greatest show on earth," Edgar said.

Edgar moved to Switzerland in 2001 to work as press officer for the International Volleyball Federation and in 2003 he joined the IOC, where he is as Head of Media Operations for the Olympics.

"Athens 2004 was 12 months away and Torino 2006 was around the next corner. Beijing 2008 - the biggest event ever - was to be all consuming," Edgar recalled the time when he joined the IOC by describing it as "a time of transition" for the Olympics.

"Jacques Rogge had started his Presidency, the Olympic Games Department had just been established, Gilbert Felli had been appointed the first Olympic Games Executive Director, and the IOC had decided to take over full responsibility for Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) with Manolo Romero appointed CEO."

Facebook, Twitter and the iPhone were each launched over the next 40 months of Edgar's starting at the IOC, ushering in a new social, digital and mobile future, triggering tumultuous change globally that would turn the media landscape upside down, impacting how sport would be consumed, broadcast and reported on in the future.

"To have been in a leadership position during these turbulent times and to work hand-in-hand with the international news agencies and news networks to navigate a course forward will stay as one of my fondest memories," Edgar said.

Edgar expressed special thanks to his bosses and mentors such as Gilbert Felli, Kevan Gosper, Manolo Romero and Tom Curley.

"Each one a visionary, all strong individuals, and each of them passionate about the Olympic Games. Each of them has helped strengthen the all-important relationship between sport and the media."

"Anthony's contribution to the International Olympic Committee's standing with international news agencies and media organizations cannot be overstated. He was the 'go to' person for the top echelon of global media management across all regions of the sporting world for new ideas and innovative solution in showcasing the competitive magic, excitement and drama that only the Olympic Games can deliver. He was always on the lookout for new and improving ways for journalists, photographers and television news producers to report on the Olympic Games and inspire their various audiences," said Kevan Gosper, ex-First Vice President of the IOC and Chairman of the IOC Press Commission (today known as Press Committee) for 25 years.

"Over the many years he worked with me in my role as Chair of the IOC Press Commission and Vice Chairman of the Beijing 2008 Coordination Commission I greatly valued his constructive advice, his willingness to explore new ideas, his energy, his integrity and especially his loyalty. He has become a highly valued friend and I wish him well in his new ventures," said Gosper.

"There are far too many to thank - from the OCOGs, the IFs, the NOCs, the IOC members and staff, and especially the media from where I can now count so many lifelong friends," Edgar said.

"Anthony had a significant impact on the Olympic movement by helping global news agencies and other media organizations open doors to new forms of coverage and extend the impact of the Olympics to millions of new followers. We also salute and thank Anthony for a spirited defense of press access, gender equality as well as his forceful advocacy for the highest professional standards," said Tom Curley, retired President and CEO of The Associated Press.

"I think Anthony's greatest legacy is the IOC Young Reporters program," said Tracey Holmes, Australian ABC journalist & host of The Ticket podcast. "It was his vision that brought it to life running in conjunction with the Youth Olympic Games since its inception in 2010."

"To watch so many of the Young Reporters grow and move on to highly successful careers, all the while with a deep appreciation of the Olympic movement, is a badge of honour Anthony should wear proudly."

Edgar works closely with the best in the news business while maintaining his love of photography by working with many award-winning news and sport photographers.

"No one has done more for enhancing and improving the image of sports photography than Anthony Edgar." Steve Fine, ex-Director of Photography of Sports Illustrated said.

"Anthony contributed in extraordinary ways to photo journalism. The facilities for photographers at the Olympic Games today are the best to be found at any major sports competitions," said Bob Martin, World Press Award winning photographer and Photo Chief for London 2012.

"Because of his vision and understanding of the importance of press photography in driving coverage of events, especially in this new digital era, he championed the power of the still images at the Olympic Games, both within the IOC and the Host City, The exhibition at the Olympic Museum and the award winning film 'One Shot: Photographing the Olympic Games' are two of his many successful projects. I am sure wherever he ends up he will continue to support photography and the important work of photographers at sports events."

Edgar worked closely with Chinese media and Xinhua for over 20 years establishing a good working relationship, which was strengthened after Beijing 2008, Nanjing 2014 and during the preparations of Beijing 2022. He traveled to Beijing 35 times between 2003 and 2008 in the lead up to the Beijing 2008.

Jiang Xiaoyu, Vice President of Beijing Olympic City Development Association and Executive Vice President of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Organizing Committee, said the retirement of Anthony reminded him of the wonderful time they spent together during Beijing 2008.

"His love and loyalty to the Olympics and his rich professional knowledge are admirable. His selfless help and careful guidance to the Beijing Games have moved us. The success of Beijing 2008 media operations and communications include the wisdom and dedication of Anthony. I would like to express my sincere thanks again to Anthony!"

"During these days we worked together for the successful Beijing 2008, our friendships were forged and we became good friends. When we work together for the preparations of Beijing 2022, and when he came all the way to the memorial service of ex-Director of Sports News Department of Xinhua Gao Dianmin, on many occasions, we could feel that Anthony respects friendship very much. I sincerely wish him a healthy and happy life in the new stage. I hope he will come to Beijing for holiday again. Old friends in Beijing are waiting for you!" Jiang added.

In 2019, on behalf of IOC President Thomas Bach, Edgar presented Xinhua a certificate in recognition of its status as an international news agency at a ceremony held at Xinhua's headquarters in Beijing.

Also last year, Edgar said at the first World Agency Meeting of Beijing 2022 that the world has very high expectations of the Games.

"Beijing has already hosted one of the most successful Olympic Games ever in Beijing 2008, and because of this China has a very educated and experienced team of professionals to deliver a highly successful Winter Games. The world's media have very high expectations of Beijing 2022," Edgar said.

Edgar also awarded Gao Dianmin, former Director of Sports News Department of Xinhua , in 2016 a five-ring Olympic sculpture, on which "Gao Dianmin, 20 years of outstanding service to the IOC Press Commission" were inscribed.

It was at the classical Julian Ashton Art School, 1977-80, in Sydney, Australia where Edgar says he "learnt to see" - and so sparked a great passion for the media and the arts. Now Edgar will return to Sydney to spend more time with his ailing father and his children, who are finishing their school studies.

"Mr. Felli used to say in private 'at a certain point in each Games the magic of the Olympics just takes over.' It's true. I have witnessed it, and experienced it, time and time again," said Edgar about his fond memories of working on the Olympic Games.

"The journey so far has been amazing, I plan on the next chapter being just as fulfilling," Edgar said. Enditem

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