Former Australian Olympic administrator Kevan Gosper has died following a short illness, aged 90.

Gosper won an Olympic silver medal on the Australian men's 4x400 metres relay team at the 1956 Melbourne Games, before embarking on a career as one of the nation's top sports administrators.

He was an International Olympic Committee member from 1977 to 2013, twice serving as vice-president and being elected to the organisation's executive.

Gosper served as president of the Australian Olympic Federation (now the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC)) and was a pivotal figure in delivering Sydney's Olympics in 2000 when vice-president of the organising committee.

He was also the inaugural chairman of the Australian Institute of Sport from 1980.

"Kevan was one of the true giants of the Olympic movement, not just in Australia but globally," AOC president Ian Chesterman said in a statement.

"His loss will be felt enormously by so many of his friends who are gathering in Paris for the Olympic Games.

"There will be so many there from across the world who will have a heavy heart today with the news of Kevan's passing.

"Kevan's impact in Australia was enormous, as a former president of the AOC and a lifetime servant to sport in this country.

"But internationally his contribution was equally significant."

Gosper was on the AOC board for decades, while also working as a corporate executive.

A former Shell Australia chairman and chief executive, he headed up the company's Asia Pacific operations when based in London.

Gosper was also a director of companies including Crown Resorts and Lion Nathan, and was Australian Trade Commission vice-chairman from 1985 to 1991.

But throughout his business life, Gosper remained passionate to the Olympic cause.

He competed at two Olympics, 1956 and 1960, and his track and field career also included winning gold in the men's 400m at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver.

Gosper was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia honour in 1986.

He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1989 as a general member for his role as a sport administrator.

"Kevan's impact on Australian sport, particularly through the Olympic movement, was extraordinary," Sport Australia Hall of Fame chairman John Bertrand said in a statement.

"His leadership and dedication as the inaugural chairman of the Australian Institute of Sport and former president of the Australian Olympic Federation were unparalleled."

Bertrand added: "Kevan's legacy will forever inspire us."

AAP/ABC