Embattled International Olympic Committee member Phil Coles's ties with the Sydney 2000 Games were further weakened yesterday when he was sacked as chairman of the prestigious torch relay committee.

Olympics Minister Michael Knight, who recommended his removal, said the circumstances surrounding Coles made it necessary for a change to be made.

"The torch relay is an incredibly important part of the games, things are happening with the torch relay at the moment, we're out there trying to recruit torch bearers," he said.

"I think it's pretty clear that Phil's circumstances have not been the best of late and it was nice to get the image of Anna Booth out there up front." Booth is Coles's replacement.

The decision by the board of the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) was not unanimous, with fellow Australian IOC member Kevan Gosper and Australian Olympic Committee chairman John Coates abstaining.

Coles has stood down from duties as a SOCOG board member while the IOC investigates whether his ex-wife received expensive jewellery from a businessman associated with Athens's bid for the 1996 games. If the allegations are proven he faces expulsion from the IOC and the SOCOG board.

Coles told Sydney radio he was bitterly disappointed. "It's the worst possible hit I could have had, all I wanted to do was contribute to the Games being a success and particularly the torch relay," he said.

"Apparently everyone knew this was one way of hurting me and I must say they've been successful."