Because his membership of the IOC was linked to his Presidency, it ceased once he resigned.

He was elected to the IOC in 2002.

A spokesman for the IOC said President Thomas Bach has "thanked His Royal Highness for his contribution to the Olympic Movement".

He met with Prince Nawaf in April to pledge his support to a six-year development strategy for Saudi Arabia, aimed at increasing women's participation at the Rio 2016 Summer Games by introducing better training, particularly at university level.

Saudi women were selected for an Olympic team for the first time ahead of London 2012 after the Royal Family bowed to pressure.

Prince Nawaf, grandson of Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - King of Saudi Arabia for 23 years until his death in 2005 - resigned as President of the Saudi Arabia Football Federation in 2012 after the team's failed attempt to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

It is not clear at this stage why he has resigned as President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee.

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