Philip Guishard, a leader in Bermudian sports and the secretary general of the Bermuda Olympic Association, has died at the age of 74.

Judy Simons, president of the association, hailed him as “an amazing man and a great mentor” who was known to sporting communities across the world.

“I will miss him tremendously, as will his colleagues around the island,” she said:

A keen road runner who took part in virtually all the island’s races in the 1980s, Mr Guishard maintained a close involvement with sports for much of his life.

As well as directing the International Race Weekend throughout the 1990s, Mr Guishard was a sports development officer for the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation.

He had served on the National Junior Athlete sponsorship committee, along with presiding over the Bermuda Track and Field Association.

He helped administrate the Island Games when they were hosted by the island. Popular with local athletes and administrators, Mr Guishard was internationally respected, having served as chef de mission for the Bermuda team at the Pan-Am Games and Commonwealth Games as well as the Olympics.

He was also a former president of the St George’s Rotary Club.

This morning Sylvan Richards, the Minister of Sport, extended his condolences to the family of Mr Guishard on behalf of Michael Dunkley, the Premier, the Government and his colleagues.

“I wish to extend sincerest sympathies to the family of the late Phillip Guishard, one of the great champions of organised sports in Bermuda,” Mr Richards said.

“Known to sporting communities across the world, Mr Guishard was involved with sports both personally and professionally — as a prominent road runner in the 1980s and throughout his career as sports development officer for the Government of Bermuda and secretary general of the Bermuda Olympic Association.

“He loved sports and wanted to nurture that passion in others; especially our island’s young people, serving on the National Junior Athlete sponsorship committee as well as other sporting committees and clubs.

“He saw sports as a way to bring people together and regarded it as a tool to teach important life skills such as team building and perseverance. He was a great athlete and sporting mentor. May he rest in peace.”