Coe elected as new BOA chief, vows to serve sports globally

Sebastian Coe was elected as the new chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA) on Wednesday. Coe, the firm favourite for the role after masterminding London’s successful staging of the 2012 Olympics, was elected unopposed after rival candidate Richard Leman, the head of British hockey, stepped aside last month. Long tipped as a future president of the International Olympic Committee, 56-year-old Coe, the 1,500 metres gold medallist at the 1980 and 1984 Games, added to his already impressive CV after overseeing the triumphant Olympics and Paralympics. At the BOA, he succeeds Colin Moyninhan, who stepped down following a London 2012 where Britain finished third in the medals table. The 56-year-old, who served as a Member of Parliament from 1992-1997 and became a life Peer in 2000, said he was committed to making sure the benefits of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games are maximised. “This role gives me an excellent platform to continue to serve and promote British Olympic sport, both in the UK, and globally.