Sebastian Coe Confirmed as BOA Chairman

Sebastian Coe has appointed the new chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman, succeeding Colin Moynihan after being voted in unopposed.

Coe’s only competition for the role, head of British hockey Richard Leman, withdrew from the election in October to clear the path for the two-time Olympic champion following his role in delivering “the most successful Olympics in history”.

The 56-year-old, who is still in charge of the London 2012 organising committee as the organisation winds down after the Games, was elected at a meeting of all the British Olympic sports in London on Wednesday and will hope to end simmering tensions between the two bodies.

It is hoped that the good will and high standing of Coe in both the realms of sport and politics will help attract new sponsors to the cash-strapped organisation as they move on from the London Olympics 2012.

Coe succeeds Lord Moynihan, who stepped down as chairman after seven years. The former Conservative MP is also vice-president of the IAAF, and has stated his intention to stand for president of the international governing body of athletics when the post becomes available, possibly in 2015.

UK Sport Chair Baroness Sue Campbell, welcomed the appointment: “I am absolutely delighted to see Lord Sebastian Coe elected as Chairman of the BOA. I have the greatest respect for all he has achieved and, as a colleague and friend, have seen his passion and commitment for sport and the Olympic movement.

“We at UK Sport look forward to working closely with Seb and the British Olympic Association to capitalise on the success of London 2012 and continue to build a stronger, more sustainable high performance system for the future.”