Leece, a longstanding Sydney resident, held executive roles across a variety of sectors, including property development, construction, manufacturing, health, environment, defence, investment and infrastructure.

From 1996 to 2000, he served as deputy director general of the Olympic Coordination Authority, meaning he was responsible for the development of all facilities with a budget of AUD $7.2 billion (£3.4 billion/$5.4 billion/€5.2 billion).

All the venues were delivered on time and under budget, an achievement at the time without precedence in Australia.

Leece, awarded an Order of Australia for his achievements in 2002, also served various other roles connected to the Games.

This included chief executive of the Olympic Roads and Transport Authority and a member of the Games Co-ordination Group

He was also a director of the Sydney Olympic Broadcast Organisation which managed all television broadcast activities and a director of the City Festival and Urban Domain.

This body developed and managed the city festivities including entertainment, live sites and artistic presentations during the Games.

“Bob was one of the quiet achievers, a man who worked tirelessly for the Sydney Games," said Coates, also a vice-president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and formerly senior vice-president of Sydney 2000.

“When [former IOC] President [Juan Antonio] Samaranch described the Sydney Games as the best ever I think, among others, he had Bob Leece in mind.

“For his outstanding effort, Bob was awarded the Silver Olympic Order by the IOC, an honour he thoroughly deserved.  

"He was so talented and so loved, he will be sadly missed by all of us."

Following the Games, Leece became chief operating officer of Tenix Pty Ltd, an international engineering, technology and defence contracting organisation with more than 4,000 employees.

He was also Pro-Chancellor of the University of Sydney and on the Board of Opera Australia.

He passed away aged 68 surrounded by his family in hospital last week.