London, Monday: Mike Lee, who established sports public relations giant VERO Communications and masterminded campaigns such as Qatar’s stunning victory to host the 2022 World Cup, has died of a heart attack aged 61, the company announced Monday.
Lee -- who leaves a widow, Heather, a son Alex and a stepson Euan -- had forged a successful career in the sporting world with a succession of highs leading to VERO’s creation.
Having been UEFA’s director of communications, he enjoyed perhaps his greatest moment in the same role for London’s successful 2012 Olympic bid when they upset favourites Paris.
Lee, though, was to enjoy his own moment of success with Paris as VERO advised them on their bid for the 2024 Games -- the only other bidders Los Angeles were eventually awarded rights to stage the 2028 Games.
“It is with enormous sadness that the Lee family and VERO Communications announce that Mike Lee passed away on Saturday (8 September) at the age of 61 from a heart attack,” read the statement from VERO.
Lee set up VERO in 2006 and amongst its successes aside from Qatar’s World Cup triumph he could count Pyeongchang’s winning the right to host the 2018 Winter Olympics, Rio’s 2016 Summer Games victory and the inclusion of rugby and surfing in the Games. AFP
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