Denmark's long-time IOC member Niels Holst-Sørensen, pictured third right in the 1948 Olympic 800m final, has died aged 100 ©Getty Images

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has led tributes to Niels Holst-Sørensen, a member of the organisation from 1977 until 2002.

He was subsequently made an honorary member, a position he held until his death.

Holst-Sørensen is also a former European 400 metres champion and Denmark’s military representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) from 1982 to 1986.

Paying tribute Bach said: "Niels Holst-Sørensen was a distinguished leader, an accomplished athlete, and a dedicated sports administrator. 

"A very straightforward person, he contributed immensely as an IOC member, and as a member of multiple IOC commissions.

"He leaves behind a legacy that will forever be cherished by the international sports community."

Holst-Sørensen served in the Danish Army throughout an athletic career in which he won 400m gold and 800m silver at the 1946 European Championships before reaching the London Olympic 800m final two years later, reports Danish website DR.

Niels Holst-Sørensen, second left, later a long-time IOC member and Commander of the Danish Air Force, reaches the 1948 Olympic 800 metres final ©Getty Images
Niels Holst-Sørensen, second left, later a long-time IOC member and Commander of the Danish Air Force, reaches the 1948 Olympic 800 metres final ©Getty Images

He had a stellar career in the armed forces, becoming a major-general and commander of the Danish Air Force from 1970 to 1982, after which he took up his NATO appointment.

Holst-Sørensen was the fastest 400m runner in the world in 1943 and second fastest 800m runner in the world in 1944, but the cancellation of the 1940 and 1944 Olympics due to the Second World War meant the 1946 European Championships represented his first major international athletics opportunity.

He won his gold in fine style from the outside lane, clocking 47.9sec to finish 0.4 in front of France’s Jacques Lunis.

Bach also added that: "On a personal note, Niels Holst-Sørensen was someone who helped and supported me from the very beginning of my IOC membership. 

"We enjoyed a deep friendship despite some of the hard-fought battles we had playing on the tennis courts together."

During his time as an IOC member, Holst-Sørensen also served as chairman of the Study Commission for the Preparation of the Olympic Games in 1998 between 1989 and 1990, and a member of the following commissions - eligibility, study and evaluation for the preparation of the Olympic Games, marketing and coordination for the Olympic Winter Games at Albertville 1992, Lillehammer 1994, Nagano 1998 and Salt Lake City 2002.

As a mark of respect for Holst-Sørensen's death, the Olympic flag was flown at half-mast at Olympic House in Lausanne for three days.