Former minister Robertson succeeds Coe as British Olympics chief

Former minister Robertson succeeds Coe as British Olympics chief

LONDON - Hugh Robertson has been elected to succeed Sebastian Coe as the new chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA), it was announced Thursday.

Hugh Robertson is a former British sports minister who oversaw the latter stages of the government's involvement in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

A former British sports minister, who oversaw the latter stages of the government's involvement in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Robertson became a BOA vice-chairman a year ago.

Robertson was elected to the top job at the BOA after defeating Great Britain Hockey president Richard Leman, his only opponent, in a ballot.

Robertson, who like Coe was a Conservative MP, will serve a four-year term as BOA chairman.

Coe, the Olympic 1500 metres champion at both the 1980 and 1984 Games in Moscow and Los Angeles respectively, is now the president of track and field's global governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations.

After his election, Robertson said Thursday: "Following on from my involvement with London 2012, it is a great privilege for me to become chairman of the British Olympic Association.

"After the success of Rio 2016, this is an extraordinarily exciting moment for British Olympic sport. I want to build on this success and drive the organisation forward both on and off the field of play.

"I would like to pay tribute to my friend and predecessor Lord Coe for the positive impact he has had on British sport, and in particular Olympic sport and it is with great pride that I follow in his footsteps.

"The success of Team GB does not come by chance and the meticulous preparations and dedication to the athletes will remain at the forefront of our work.

"I am thrilled to be part of this and to work collaboratively with our myriad stakeholders to provide the best possible platform for success for the athletes during the Summer and Winter Olympic programmes," he added ahead of the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang and the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.

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