London 2012 has today issued a tribute to the highly respected former Reuters Sports Editor and IOC and London 2012 press operations adviser.
It takes an event or occasion of some magnitude to prompt a pause of any kind in the press rooms of the world's leading media organisations on the eve of the Olympic Games, the world's biggest media operation. But that is what happened today in Beijing as word spread through the Main Press Centre of the untimely death of Steve Parry, the highly respected former Reuters Sports Editor and IOC and London 2012 press operations adviser.
Even as the world's largest media operation moved into top gear for Friday's blockbuster Olympic Opening Ceremony, news of Parry's death sent shock waves of disbelief and sadness across news desks and through senior management offices.
The sense of loss surrounding the death of the highly regarded sports news expert and editor was more poignant and sharply felt amongst his Olympic and press colleagues, coming just hours before the start of the Beijing Games, which were to mark Parry’s 40 year association with the Games.
The Games attract the best of the best – the best athletes as well as the best media who report on their performances. Parry was gold medal material, universally acclaimed here in Beijing by his peers for quality reporting of the Games, and more recently for his work with the IOC in helping to maximise Games-time operations for media.
As Reuters Sports Editor, Parry planned and coordinated coverage of many sporting events around the globe but nothing matched the challenge and excitement of the Olympic Games.
'For Steve, the Olympic Games was what it was all about. Sport and the Olympic Games were synonymous,' said Paul Radford, who succeeded Parry as Reuters Global Sports Editor.
A highly regarded member of the IOC’s Press Commission, Parry’s advice and counsel was widely sought after in Olympic circles, especially his understanding of the NASA–like complexities of Games-time press operations.
Parry helped London to win the bid for the 2012 Games, and it came as no surprise that the bid’s important technical file on Press Operations scored top marks from the IOC’s Evaluation Commission.
Parry was a highly valued consultant to the team of Communications Director, Jackie Brock-Doyle, providing expert advice on London’s press operations plan as well as the Games time experience for press and broadcast media.
Like Olympians he has reported on, Steve Parry set new standards for others to follow.
‘Steve is one of the Olympic greats. It is hard to imagine an Olympic Games without him,’ Brock-Doyle said.
‘He was involved with London 2012 from the early stages of the bid and played a major role in helping us bring the Games to London. His candid advice, expert knowledge and exceptional humour will be sorely missed by everyone connected to London 2012, and the wider Olympic family. We send our deepest sympathy to his family at this very sad time.’
Even as the world's largest media operation moved into top gear for Friday's blockbuster Olympic Opening Ceremony, news of Parry's death sent shock waves of disbelief and sadness across news desks and through senior management offices.
The sense of loss surrounding the death of the highly regarded sports news expert and editor was more poignant and sharply felt amongst his Olympic and press colleagues, coming just hours before the start of the Beijing Games, which were to mark Parry’s 40 year association with the Games.
The Games attract the best of the best – the best athletes as well as the best media who report on their performances. Parry was gold medal material, universally acclaimed here in Beijing by his peers for quality reporting of the Games, and more recently for his work with the IOC in helping to maximise Games-time operations for media.
As Reuters Sports Editor, Parry planned and coordinated coverage of many sporting events around the globe but nothing matched the challenge and excitement of the Olympic Games.
'For Steve, the Olympic Games was what it was all about. Sport and the Olympic Games were synonymous,' said Paul Radford, who succeeded Parry as Reuters Global Sports Editor.
A highly regarded member of the IOC’s Press Commission, Parry’s advice and counsel was widely sought after in Olympic circles, especially his understanding of the NASA–like complexities of Games-time press operations.
Parry helped London to win the bid for the 2012 Games, and it came as no surprise that the bid’s important technical file on Press Operations scored top marks from the IOC’s Evaluation Commission.
Parry was a highly valued consultant to the team of Communications Director, Jackie Brock-Doyle, providing expert advice on London’s press operations plan as well as the Games time experience for press and broadcast media.
Like Olympians he has reported on, Steve Parry set new standards for others to follow.
‘Steve is one of the Olympic greats. It is hard to imagine an Olympic Games without him,’ Brock-Doyle said.
‘He was involved with London 2012 from the early stages of the bid and played a major role in helping us bring the Games to London. His candid advice, expert knowledge and exceptional humour will be sorely missed by everyone connected to London 2012, and the wider Olympic family. We send our deepest sympathy to his family at this very sad time.’
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