LOCOG Chair Sebastian Coe is set to become the next chairman of the British Olympic Association after confirming he "would accept an invitation to stand for the position," according to Owen Gibson of the London GUARDIAN. The move is Coe's first step to building up a portfolio of roles that "will allow him to play a significant part in delivering a legacy" from the London Games. Expressions of interest in the post are due in by Sept. 24, but "there is expected to be little or no opposition now that Coe has confirmed he will stand," after being contacted by the BOA sub-committee that is seeking a replacement for Colin Moynihan. The double Olympic Gold Medalist "is likely to be inundated with job offers" after successfully steering the London Games to a widely praised conclusion. However, he said the approach by the BOA for the part-time role "was difficult to turn down." Coe said, "I have been asked and I'm happy for my name to go forward. I was asked formally and on this day of all days why wouldn't you want to help." Sports Minister Huge Robertson said confirmation that Coe would stand was "excellent news." It was also welcomed by athletes including Zara Phillips. Phillips said, "He's an athlete himself and he has done all this with the Olympics and made it what it was – I don't there is anyone else you could put there" (GUARDIAN, 9/10).
