Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) is saddened to acknowledge the passing of Life Member Ray Godkin OAM, a distinguished sports administrator whose decades of service left an indelible mark on the Commonwealth Sport Movement.

A former competitive cyclist who dedicated much of his life to the advancement of sport, Ray served as the sixth Chairman of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) from 1987 to 1998

He also played a pivotal role in team leadership, serving as Section Manager for Cycling at the Brisbane 1982 Commonwealth Games and as Transport Officer at Edinburgh 1986.

His tenure at Cycling Australia coincided with some of the sport’s most important developments, including facilitating the introduction of cycling to the Australian Institute of Sport, which led to significant international success at Olympics, Commonwealth Games and world championships for Australian cyclists.

CGA President Ben Houston acknowledged Ray’s longstanding and lasting impact on cycling and the teams he worked with.

“Ray was a respected figure in Australian sport and made invaluable contributions to the Australian Commonwealth Games Team and the Commonwealth Sport Movement through his many years of service and leadership,” Houston said.

“He was committed to supporting athletes and ensuring the cycling team was well prepared, as well as being a driving force in developing cycling into the sport it is today.”

In 1989, Ray received the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to cycling and in 2001, was conferred Life Membership for his extensive contributions to CGA and the Commonwealth Sport Movement.

His influence also extended beyond the Commonwealth Games, through leadership roles with the Australian Cycling Federation, the Oceania Cycling Confederation, and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), where he served as Senior Vice President.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Ray’s family, friends and all who knew him.