Adelaide, Jul 20 (IANS): Hockey Australia President Melanie Woosnam has congratulated Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates for his election as the Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Coates' appointment is his second stint in the role. He previously held down the position from 2013 to 2017.

"On behalf of the Board of Hockey Australia and the wider hockey Australian community, we congratulate John Coates on being elected Vice President of the IOC," said Woosnam in a statement.

"John continues to provide outstanding support to the Olympic movement and we acknowledge the continued commitment that he makes to expanding the positive impact of the Olympics globally as well as in Australia."

"As Chair of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Coordination Commission among other positions he holds down, John continues to have a significant influence in Olympic matters during these uncertain times, so we are delighted to see him elected as IOC Vice-President and are sure he will do an excellent job," she added.

Coates four-year term as Vice-President sees him return to the IOC Executive Board, which consists of the IOC President, four Vice-Presidents and ten other elected members.