The International Olympic Committee is mourning the passing of Sir Craig Reedie. The Olympic flag will be at half-mast at Olympic House in Lausanne for the next three days, in honor of the man who helped bring badminton into the fold and helped shape the Games.

Reedie, a former vice president of the IOC and one of the most respected leaders in international sports, passed away at 84 on April 6, 2026. While he had a home in Scotland, specific details of his passing have not come to light.

"Sir Craig dedicated his whole life to the service of sport and the Olympic Movement," Kirsty Coventry, the president of the IOC, said.

"He was a steadfast guardian of integrity, guiding the global sporting community through some of its most challenging moments with dignity and resolve," he added.

As president of the Badminton World Federation (then IBF), he led the successful effort to get badminton included in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He later led the World Anti-Doping Agency and was head of the British Olympic Association, helping bring the games to London in 2012.

Reedie's path from athlete to administrator showed that he was dedicated to sports for life. He earned the Olympic Order in 2023 for his work at the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India.

The badminton community paid tribute to the 'Giant of Olympic Sport', Craig Reedie

BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul wrote about how he changed the sport's global status.

"Every badminton player who has walked into an Olympic arena owes something to Sir Craig Reedie. He was also a devoted friend to badminton long after his presidency, always ready to advise, to help, and to speak up for our sport..." she explained.

“Deepest condolences to Lady Rosemary and the family. Sir Craig was a giant of Olympic sport. Without his vision, there wouldn't have been a London 2012 Olympic bid. He was the chief architect of elevating Lord Coe. As a mentor and friend, he'll be sadly missed. RIP Craig,” posted former British Olympic Association (BOA) Media Manager Philip Pope.

Voices from the media remembered how accessible he was and how willing he was to talk.

“Sad to hear the news about Sir Craig Reedie, for so long a key figure in world sports. I always found him engaging & helpful in my dealings with him during my BBC career. R.I.P. Condolences to his family & friends,” wrote retired BBC news & sport journalist Rikki Singh.

"Sir Craig is in a small, elite group of people of whom it can honestly be said that there probably wouldn’t have been a London 2012 without him," posted former BBC Sports News and Olympics Correspondent James Pearce.

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Written by

Chitrak Mukherjee

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi