Carol Letheren; Chief Executive of Canadian Olympic Assn.

Carol Anne Letheren, one of the few female members of the International Olympic Committee and a key figure for Canada in international amateur sports, died Friday. She was 58.

The IOC announced her death from its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Letheren collapsed Wednesday night from a brain aneurysm while speaking at an alumni banquet for the Schulich School of Business in Toronto, part of York University. She was taken to the intensive care unit of St. Michael’s Hospital, where she had been listed in critical condition.

Letheren, chief executive of the Canadian Olympic Assn., was appointed to the IOC in 1990. She served as Canadian Olympic president from 1990 to 1994 and was its chief officer from 1994 until her death.

Her career was marked by one of her country’s worst sports scandals, however. She was chief of mission at the 1988 Seoul Olympics when Ben Johnson failed his drug test after winning the 100 meters. Letheren was the Canadian official who had to ask for his medal back.

But her effective handling of the drug scandal served as her springboard to the IOC.

Born in Guelph, Ontario, Letheren was a college badminton champion. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in physical education and later earned a master’s degree in business from York University.

She went on to become an official in gymnastics, synchronized swimming and volleyball. She officiated at the 1978 and 1982 Commonwealth Games and the 1976 and 1984 Olympics.

She is survived by her husband, Michael, and son Dan.