Lord Coe has described David Coleman as the 'best sports broadcaster in any generation' after he passed away at age 87.

Coleman, who commentated on 11 Olympic Games and six football World Cups for the BBC, died on Saturday after a short illness.

He vocalised the famous middle-distance running rivalry between Coe and fellow Briton Steve Ovett in the 1970s and '80s, and the chief organiser of London 2012 has saluted Coleman for his memorable career.

"He was just incomparably the best and the best in any generation," Coe told reporters. "It wasn't just that he carefully choreographed intro pieces but he could always capture the moment.

"He liked being in the company of athletes, he would spend time with athletes and sit talking to them. He could read a race as well as anybody and really did understand the dynamics and strategy of the race."

Coleman, who was awarded an OBE in 1992, also hosted Grandstand, Sportsnight and a Question of Sport.